Islamabad, Feb 15: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a banned separatist group fighting for Baloch independence, claimed on Sunday to have detained 17 Pakistani soldiers in an escalation dubbed the “second phase of Operation Herof,” releasing 10 while setting a one-week deadline for a prisoner swap for the remaining seven.
In a statement from its media wing Hakkal, spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said the freed soldiers—identified as ethnic Baloch affiliated with local policing—were warned and released to reflect “ground realities” and Baloch interests. The BLA alleged the captives faced trial in a “Baloch National Court” for crimes including civilian attacks, enforced disappearances, and “genocide” against Baloch people, with evidence presented and defenses heard before guilty verdicts.
Despite convictions, the group offered Islamabad seven days to signal readiness for exchange, potentially trading the seven regular Pakistan Army members for Baloch prisoners. It accused authorities of ignoring prior proposals, prioritizing politics over soldiers’ lives, and warned of “court sentences” if no progress by deadline. No official response from Pakistan’s military or government yet.
This follows BLA’s “coordinated” attacks across 12 Balochistan sites, claiming 92 rebels and 18 officials killed, amid surging insurgency over resource rights and disappearances in the mineral-rich province bordering Iran and Afghanistan.
