The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has delivered a grave ultimatum, threatening to kill 10 Pakistani hostages in retaliation for recent drone and artillery attacks by the Pakistani military. The separatist organisation has given authorities a strict 48-hour deadline to meet their demands, intensifying already high tensions in the Bolan district, according to reports by The Balochistan Post.

The BLA, in a sharp reaction to what they describe as "reckless and foolish" military actions, is demanding the release of a Baloch activist believed to have been forcibly disappeared. If their demands are not fulfilled within the stipulated time, they warn of executing the hostages whom they reportedly seized during their recent operations. The situation has added to the growing unrest in Balochistan, which has witnessed a surge in violence in recent weeks.

BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch accused the Pakistani army of conducting indiscriminate strikes that targeted BLA positions near the hijacked Jaffar Express train. He criticised the military's approach, calling it "foolish" and reckless, and alleged that Pakistani forces have refused to engage in meaningful negotiations for a prisoner swap. "Pakistan’s actions are driven by 'war madness and stubbornness,'" Jeeyand Baloch stated, highlighting that despite heavy bombardment, their fighters remained unharmed due to "superior defensive strategies and battlefield control."

Issuing a stern warning, Jeeyand Baloch declared, "In response to today’s reckless bombardment, we are forced to execute ten more hostages immediately. If even a single bullet is fired again, another ten will face the same fate." This message came as a direct reaction to the military offensives carried out earlier, which the BLA claims deliberately targeted their fighters.

Meanwhile, Pakistani military sources have reported that at least 13 insurgents were killed in the clashes, with others injured. However, these claims remain unverified by independent observers. The BLA has outright dismissed these statements as "fabrications" meant to conceal what they allege is a failure on the part of the Pakistani army. Jeeyand Baloch accused state forces of attempting to present an illusion of success to hide their inability to crush the insurgency.

The current hostage crisis began when BLA militants took control of the Jaffar Express near Machh in the Bolan district, capturing over 200 individuals, including personnel from the military, paramilitary forces, police, and intelligence agencies. Following this, the group issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding the immediate release of Baloch political activists, missing persons believed to have been forcibly disappeared, and imprisoned fighters.

According to The Balochistan Post, BLA fighters engaged in fierce clashes with Pakistani reinforcements that lasted more than eight hours, successfully repelling the forces attempting to reclaim control of the seized train and rescue the hostages.

With the deadline now reduced to less than 40 hours, the BLA has reiterated its demands, warning of severe consequences if ignored. Jeeyand Baloch stated, "If our demands are not met within the given time, or if Pakistani forces attempt further military intervention, all prisoners of war will be executed, and the seized train will be completely destroyed."

As of now, Pakistani authorities have not issued an official response to the BLA's ultimatum. The atmosphere in the region remains tense and unpredictable, with observers expecting new developments in the coming hours as the situation evolves.