Quetta, Mar 11 (NVI) Hours after seizing Jaffer Express train, Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) tonight said it has killed 30 Pakistani soldiers and is holding 214 more, whom it wants to be exchanged for Baloch “political prisoners, forcibly disappeared persons and national resistance activists” within 48 hours.
“If our demands are not met within the stipulated period or the occupying power (Pakistan) attempts any military action during this period, all the prisoners of war will be killed and the train will be completely destroyed,” BLA spokesman Jeeyand Baloch said, adding “The Pakistani army will be held responsible for this.”
In a statement to NVI, he said the BLA commanders, through a well-planned military strategy and aggressive advance, forced the ground and air reinforcements of the occupying Pakistani army to retreat after eight hours of fighting.
In the clashes that continued for several hours, more than 30 enemy personnel have been killed and many injured so far, while the occupying forces have suffered heavy losses, he said.
“The BLA has been in complete control of the train and all the hostages on board for the past eight hours,” the spokesman said.
“Under the rules of war, these 214 hostages are considered prisoners of war and the BLA is ready to exchange prisoners,” he said.
“The occupying state of Pakistan is given 48 hours to immediately and unconditionally release the Baloch political prisoners, forcibly disappeared persons and national resistance activists,” he said.
“The 214 Pakistani personnel, including military, paramilitary, police and intelligence personnel, are being held under full security and martial law by the BLA,” Jeeyand Baloch said.
He said the 48-hour ultimatum “is final and unwavering” and that “the occupying enemy is warned that the BLA is capable of fully, effectively and promptly implementing every decision it makes.” (NVI)
