Since its establishment, the BLA group has asserted that it is combating the exploitation of the region’s resources by the Pakistani authorities, as well as the injustices faced by local residents regarding employment and human rights.
On Thursday, March 13, the Taliban regime in Kabul dismissed accusations made by Pakistan regarding the involvement of Afghanistan-based militants in the hijacking of the Jaffar Express train in Balochistan.
The incident, orchestrated by the Baloch Liberation Army, a separatist group, resulted in the hostage-taking of hundreds of passengers in the Bolan region. The train, which was en route from Quetta to Bolan, was transporting several members of Pakistan’s armed forces, including army and police personnel.
In the aftermath of the attack, Pakistani authorities directed blame towards Afghanistan, alleging that the mastermind behind the hijacking was being sheltered by their northern neighbor.
In response, the Taliban issued a statement rejecting these claims as unfounded.
“We categorically reject the baseless allegations made by the spokesperson of the Pakistani army, which attempt to link the attack on a passenger train in Balochistan province to Afghanistan. We urge the Pakistani authorities to concentrate on addressing their own security and internal issues rather than making such irresponsible statements,” stated Abdul Qahar Balkhi, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Pakistan had previously asserted that the attackers maintained communication with operatives active across the border in Afghanistan.
In a series of claims and counterclaims, a spokesperson for the Pakistani Army announced on Wednesday that security forces had successfully concluded an operation to rescue hostages from the hijacked train.
According to the spokesperson, all 33 militants involved in the attack were killed; however, the operation also resulted in the deaths of 21 passengers and four Pakistani soldiers.
“The armed forces successfully completed the operation on Wednesday evening, eliminating all terrorists and ensuring the safe rescue of all passengers,” reported Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry.
The assertion made by the Pakistan Army was promptly dismissed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA). In their statement, the BLA indicated that hostilities were ongoing and that they had inflicted significant losses on the Pakistan Army.
“The current situation reveals that combat is taking place on various fronts, and the adversary (Pakistani military) is experiencing substantial casualties and military setbacks,” the group stated.
“The occupying forces have neither secured a victory on the battlefield nor succeeded in safeguarding their personnel who are being held captive,” it further noted.
Additional Information on the BLA
Established in 2000, the BLA seeks to create a state of Greater Balochistan.
Since its inception, the group has maintained that it is combating the exploitation of the region’s resources by the Pakistani government and the discrimination faced by local residents regarding employment and human rights.
The BLA has been classified as a global terrorist organization by several Western countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom, according to the BBC.
