Quetta, Mar 11 (NVI) In a massive attack, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) today claimed to have seized control of Jaffer Express train carrying nearly 100 Pakistani military personnel after derailing it in Balochistan, resulting in the killing of 6 soldiers.
The Pakistan Army has mounted an operation to free the hostages but the BLA freedom fighters have repelled the ground and aerial advances by the military. Intense gun-battles are underway as we report.
Issuing the “final” warning, the BLA said, “if the aerial bombardment is not halted immediately, all 100+ hostages will be executed within the next hour.”
The Jaffer Express train was en route from Quetta in Balochistan to Peshawar in Kyber Pakhtunkhwa Province of Pakistan when it came under attack in an area between Gudallar and Piru Kunri, according to Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind.
Significantly, the train was attacked near a tunnel.
“The Baloch Liberation Army has carried out a meticulously planned operation in Mashkaf, Dhadar, Bolan, where our freedom fighters have blown up the railway track, forcing the Jaffar Express to come to a halt,” its spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said in a statement to NVI.
The BLA fighters swiftly took control of the train, holding all passengers hostage, he said.
The BLA fighters have released women, children, and Baloch passengers, ensuring that all remaining hostages are serving personnel of the occupying forces, Jeeyand Baloch said.
“So far, six military personnel have been killed, and hundreds of passengers remain under BLA custody,” the spokesman said, adding the Baloch Liberation Army takes full responsibility for this “strategic operation”.
Among the hostages are active-duty personnel from the Pakistani military, police, Anti-Terrorism Force (ATF), and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI)—all of whom were traveling to Punjab on leave, the spokesman said.
“The BLA issues a stark warning that if the occupying forces attempt any military intervention, all hostages will be executed,” he said.
The mission is being led by the BLA’s Fidayeen Unit, Majeed Brigade, with full operational support from Fateh Squad, STOS, and our intelligence wing Zirab, he said.
“The Baloch Liberation Army has completely repelled the Pakistani military’s ground assault following the seizure of Jaffar Express. After intense clashes, Pakistani ground troops were forced to retreat, but airstrikes from helicopters and drones continue unabated,” the spokesman said.
“Majeed Brigade, STOS, Fatah Squad, and ZIRAB Unit fighters are actively engaged in countermeasures, and any further military incursion will have catastrophic consequences,” he said.
“Over 100 enemy personnel remain in BLA custody. The occupying forces still have a chance to cease airstrikes and save their men, or else the Pakistani military will bear full responsibility for the execution of all hostages,” Jeeyand Baloch warned. (NVI)
