Pakistan Army Claims 33 Soldiers Of BLA ‘Sent To Hell’ As Baloch Rebels Intensify Independence Struggle- wna24

In breaking news coming in from Balochistan, the Pakistan Army has claimed to end the train seige and killed 33 rebel fighters of the Baloch Liberation Army. The Pakistan Army also has claimed that four of their army personnel were killed in the operation.

“All 33 terrorists have been sent to hell….four frontier corps personnel embraced martyrdom during the clearance operation,” the DG ISPR was quoted by Geo TV.

Authorities in Pakistan declared the end of a dramatic standoff on Wednesday after the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) launched an attack on a train carrying hundreds of passengers in Balochistan province. Officials said over 300 hostages have been rescued. However, they provided little clarity on the number of hostages who lost their lives during the daylong operation.

The Jaffar Express, traveling from Quetta to Peshawar, came under attack Tuesday while passing through a remote tunnel. The Baloch rebels blew up sections of the track, forcing the train to stop and allowing them to take control of the situation. The BLA later stated it was prepared to release the passengers if Pakistani authorities freed Baloch fighters in custody. The Pakistani government, which has a long history of rejecting such demands, didn’t comment. 

According to Sarfraz Bugti, the Chief Minister of Balochistan, “we (our) people have also been martyred, but we will share details later.” He did not specify whether this referred to civilians or security personnel.

The Pakistani military, which has committed human rights abuses in Balochistan, launched an armed operation to retake control of the train. Some hostages were killed in the crossfire, though the exact number remains undisclosed.

The BLA has long been fighting against the exploitation and oppression of the Baloch people by the Pakistani state. Balochistan is rich in oil and minerals, yet its people remain marginalized, with Islamabad reaping the benefits while the local population struggles with poverty and underdevelopment.

Over the years, the Pakistani military has intensified its crackdown on Baloch activists and freedom fighters. Enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and military operations have fueled the anger of the region’s insurgents, who say they have been left with no choice but to resist.

The BLA, known for targeting Pakistani security forces, has also launched attacks on Chinese nationals working on projects linked to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The group argues that these projects are plundering Balochistan’s resources without benefiting its people. China, a close ally of Pakistan, expressed its support for the country’s counterterrorism efforts, with foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning stating that Beijing “will continue to firmly support Pakistan in advancing its counterterrorism efforts.”

As news of the train attack spread, desperate families gathered at the Quetta train station, anxiously waiting for updates about their loved ones. Many expressed anger at the Pakistani government’s failure to prevent such incidents and its dismissive attitude toward the BLA’s growing strength.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi had previously downplayed the insurgent threat, claiming last year that “an ordinary police inspector could fix this situation.” His words now ring hollow as the attack exposes the state’s inability to control the insurgency.

Relatives of the hostages, including Shams Ullah Khan and Hamad Khan, voiced their frustration at the lack of information from the authorities. “We don’t know if our loved ones are safe or dead,” one man said, as per a report from the Associated Press. “The government only cares about its own power, not about the people.”

Balochistan has long been at the center of tensions between the Pakistani state and ethnic Baloch insurgents, who demand greater autonomy and control over their land and resources. Cross-border conflicts with Iran have further complicated the situation, with both countries accusing each other of harboring militants.

The recent train attack and the government’s response highlight the growing intensity of the conflict. While Pakistani officials claim victory, the reality on the ground suggests otherwise. The BLA’s ability to launch such a large-scale operation and hold the train hostage for hours demonstrates that the Baloch resistance is far from defeated.

For the people of Balochistan, this latest battle is just another chapter in their long struggle against what they see as occupation and state-sponsored violence. And with no signs of meaningful dialogue or political resolution, the conflict is likely to escalate even further.