The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist insurgent group operating in Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province, has released a 35-minute video two months after the hijacking of the Jaffar Express. The footage, disseminated by the BLA’s media wing Hakkal, offers a rare look into the group’s tactics, ideological motivations, and claimed achievements, while making the explosive assertion that 214 Pakistani military personnel were captured and executed during the operation.

This release marks a dangerous escalation in the ongoing conflict between Baloch nationalist groups and the Pakistani state. The video—code-named “Darra-e-Bolan 2.0”—details the March 11, 2025 hijacking, carried out in the Bolan region, a mountainous area often at the heart of Baloch militancy.

Details of the Hijacking Operation

The Jaffar Express, a civilian train traveling from Quetta to Peshawar with approximately 450 passengers, was reportedly derailed after BLA militants detonated explosives on the railway tracks. Fighters from the Majeed Brigade—the BLA’s suicide and elite tactical wing—stormed the train and claimed to have separated civilians from military personnel. Women, children, and elderly passengers were allegedly escorted to safety, while the 214 Pakistani military hostages were taken for interrogation and eventual execution.

The video includes footage of BLA fighters training in rugged terrain, planting explosives, and giving farewell messages as part of a larger propaganda strategy. One masked insurgent is seen declaring, “Our youth have chosen sacrifice to make the world hear the sound of Baloch resistance.” The group claims its actions adhere to the laws of armed conflict under international warfare principles, and positions its struggle as a fight against colonial occupation.

Pakistan’s Official Account

In stark contrast, Islamabad has flatly rejected the BLA’s narrative. According to the Pakistan Army, a large-scale counter-operation titled “Operation Green Bolan” was launched shortly after the hijack. The military claims that 33 BLA insurgents were killed, 18 Pakistani soldiers lost their lives, and 354 hostages were successfully rescued. It made no acknowledgment of any mass execution as alleged by the BLA.

Pakistan Railways suspended train operations across Balochistan for several days following the hijacking, and security alerts were issued nationwide. Authorities bolstered troop presence in the region, and crackdowns on suspected insurgent hideouts intensified in Quetta, Mastung, and Dera Bugti.

Baloch Nationalism Reignited

The release of the video has reignited nationalist sentiment across Balochistan. Baloch leaders, seizing the moment, declared the formation of the “Democratic Republic of Balochistan”, seeking international recognition for their self-proclaimed state. Mass protests and rallies broke out in Baloch-majority towns, with families of the detained and disappeared joining the separatist cause.

According to the BLA, the Jaffar Express hijacking was a retaliatory strike in response to decades of state-sponsored violence, enforced disappearances, and economic marginalization. Activists claim that over 20,000 Baloch individuals have gone missing in the past two decades—a charge consistently denied by the Pakistani government.

International Reaction and Terror Designation

The international community has largely condemned the hijacking. While human rights groups express concern over alleged abuses in Balochistan, most foreign governments have not recognized the BLA’s declaration of independence. The United States, United Kingdom, and European Union continue to list the Baloch Liberation Army as a terrorist organization.

Islamabad has emphasized that the BLA is funded and supported by hostile foreign intelligence agencies, primarily India's RAW, an accusation New Delhi denies. Pakistan’s Interior Minister reiterated that any attempt to destabilize the country will be met with overwhelming force and vowed to crush the insurgency.

Tactical Shift and Growing Insurgency

The release of a professionally edited, high-quality video showing tactical planning, combat drills, and clear ideological framing suggests a strategic shift by the BLA. Experts say the group is trying to legitimize its actions on the global stage, portraying itself as a liberation movement rather than a terrorist outfit.

There are concerns that the success of this high-profile attack, regardless of Pakistan’s rebuttals, might inspire copycat operations or further embolden militant factions across the country. The emergence of splinter groups and the increasing use of media warfare by Baloch insurgents adds complexity to the security landscape.

Impact on Regional Stability

The conflict in Balochistan has long been a flashpoint in Pakistan’s internal stability, but the hijacking of a civilian train and the execution of alleged military hostages marks one of the most provocative actions in recent memory. It comes at a time when Pakistan is already grappling with economic instability, political polarization, and cross-border security concerns.

If verified, the mass execution claim could trigger major political consequences, not only domestically but also in terms of international human rights scrutiny. The BLA’s renewed aggression and its call for a sovereign Balochistan threatens to escalate the conflict further, possibly dragging neighbouring Iran and Afghanistan—home to Baloch communities—into the fray.

Conclusion

The release of the Jaffar Express hijack footage and the BLA’s claims of executing 214 hostages have jolted both Pakistan and international observers. While Islamabad insists the separatists are spreading false propaganda, the highly produced video challenges that narrative and injects new momentum into Baloch separatist aspirations.

As Pakistan ramps up military operations and diplomatic outreach, the risk of further civilian casualties, regional unrest, and insurgent retaliation looms large. Whether this incident becomes a turning point in Balochistan’s struggle for self-determination or leads to a brutal crackdown remains to be seen—but its implications are already reverberating far beyond Pakistan’s borders.

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