Baloch rebel outfit claims it executed 214 hostages in Pak's Jaffar Express siege

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for executing 214 hostages from the Jaffar Express after Pakistan’s military ignored a 48-hour deadline to negotiate a prisoner swap.

The militant group, which derailed and seized the train in the rugged Bolan district of Balochistan, accused Pakistan of choosing “stubbornness and military arrogance” over diplomacy, leading to the mass execution.

The BLA also mourned the loss of 12 of its fighters in clashes with Pakistani forces, including members of its Majeed Brigade — a notorious unit known for suicide attacks. The group detailed an earlier operation, ‘Darra-e-Bolan,’ in which it claimed to have ambushed and captured Pakistani military personnel.

According to the BLA, Pakistan’s elite SSG commandos launched a failed rescue attempt, suffering heavy casualties before the hostages were ultimately executed.

The Pakistani military, however, has offered a conflicting account, stating that it rescued more than 340 passengers during a two-day operation, though at least 25 bodies — including 21 hostages — have been recovered from the scene. The army also confirmed the deaths of 28 soldiers, including 27 off-duty personnel.

Militants targeted the Jaffar Express in the Mushqaf area of Bolan district on March 11, a treacherous mountainous region with 17 tunnels providing natural cover. The attackers detonated explosives at Tunnel Number 8, derailing the train and trapping it inside—a tactical move that allowed them to seize more than 400 passengers, including military personnel whom they sought as high-value hostages.

Gunfire erupted as militants clashed with security forces onboard, securing their hold over the train. Intelligence sources suggest the BLA’s success stemmed from precise timing, local knowledge, and prior experience targeting the same route.

Despite the army’s claims of a successful rescue, the BLA maintains that it released certain hostages early under “rules of war” and that Pakistan’s operation ultimately failed. The group accused the military of downplaying casualty numbers to preserve morale and called on international media to investigate independently, rather than relying on the Pakistani state’s narrative.

As violence escalates, the BLA has vowed to continue its insurgency, targeting Pakistani forces through ambushes and attacks. The bloodshed underscores the deepening unrest in Balochistan —a province long plagued by separatist movements and military crackdowns.