Pakistan Accused of False Claims on Hijack Operation; Hostages Still with Us, Says BLA

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant organization, has accused Pakistan of spreading false propaganda regarding the recent train hijacking operation. The group claimed that its battle against Pakistani forces is still ongoing and that Pakistan has suffered significant losses. It further asserted that the Pakistani military had not achieved victory and that the hostages remained in its custody.

The incident took place when militants hijacked the Jaffer Express, which was traveling from Quetta in Balochistan province to Peshawar in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The attackers took over nine coaches of the train, holding more than 400 passengers hostage. In response, the Pakistani military launched an operation, later declaring that it had eliminated the hijackers and rescued the hostages. The army also reported that 21 passengers and four Pakistani soldiers were killed in the operation, along with 33 militants.

However, the BLA has strongly refuted these claims, stating that the Pakistani military is spreading misinformation. The group insisted that its battle against Pakistani forces is still ongoing. It further alleged that Pakistan refused to engage in negotiations and abandoned its soldiers, while the BLA had proposed a prisoner exchange. The organization also urged independent journalists to visit the site and verify the actual situation.

Meanwhile, Pakistan has accused Afghan-based militants of involvement in the Jaffer Express hijacking. The Taliban government in Afghanistan has rejected these allegations.