The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has announced it will proceed with the execution of the seven detainees captured near Quetta after a one-week deadline for a proposed prisoner exchange expired without a response from the Pakistani government and military.
In a media release, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said that Pakistani forces did not engage in any meaningful negotiation regarding the proposed prisoner exchange. As a result, the executions of the convicted individuals will be carried out on Sunday following the decision of the BLA Command Council.
The BLA’s Fateh Squad captured ten individuals during an intelligence-based operation on 20 June in the Shaban area near Zarghoon, Quetta. After initial investigations, the suspects were presented before the ‘Baloch national court’. Seven were found guilty of collaborating with Pakistani military and intelligence agencies, while three were found innocent and released. The released individuals were identified as Muhammad Haris Rafi from Multan, Punjab, and Hassnain Sial and Abdul Baseer Durrani, both from Quetta.
The seven detainees sentenced to death include Muhammad Ali from Khanewal, Hassan Raza, Farhan Raza, Rehan Raza, Muhammad Hamza from Multan, and Muhammad Raza, son of Sheikh Maqsood Raza. The BLA claims these seven detainees were tried in the ‘Baloch national court’ and found guilty of collaborating with the Pakistani military and intelligence agencies in the genocide of Baloch people and harming Baloch national interests.
Jeeyand Baloch added that on 26 June, the BLA offered a one-week ultimatum for a prisoner exchange, adhering to international warfare principles. However, instead of engaging in the exchange, Pakistani forces launched military operations in the surrounding areas. “The insincere behavior of the Pakistani forces has led the BLA Senior Command Council to decide to proceed with the executions without any further extensions,” he said.
The spokesperson further clarified to international justice bodies and the families of the convicted individuals that the BLA was willing to release the prisoners under the condition of a prisoner exchange, as per international warfare principles. However, the Pakistani forces showed no interest in the safe return of their personnel. “This marks the fourth instance where Pakistani forces have preferred the death of their personnel over accepting the BLA’s prisoner exchange offer,” Jeeyand Baloch added.
Historical Context of Failed Prisoner Exchanges
The BLA has made several attempts to negotiate prisoner exchanges with the Pakistani military, but these efforts have consistently resulted in the deaths of detained Pakistani personnel due to aggressive military actions.
On 12 July 2022, BLA fighters captured Colonel Laiq Baig of the Pakistani Army near Quetta. The BLA offered a prisoner in exchange for his release. However, instead of negotiating, the Pakistani military launched a large-scale heli-borne operation. This operation resulted in Colonel Laiq Baig’s death two days later.
In another incident on 25 September 2022, the BLA detained Junior Commissioned Officer Kaleem Ullah and Military Intelligence official Muhammad Faisal at a checkpoint in Harnai. The BLA extended a deadline for a prisoner exchange, but Pakistani forces responded with military operations in the Harnai and Bolan regions of Balochistan. The use of force ultimately led to no progress on the exchange, and the detained personnel were not released.
In October 2023, the BLA captured Subedar Muhammad Khan and Sepoy Abdul Rasheed in the Margat area of Bolan. Despite the BLA’s willingness to negotiate, no efforts were made by the Pakistani military to engage in an exchange. The families of the detained personnel were also prevented from protesting, and no prisoner swap occurred.
Recent Developments and Response from Authorities
Families of the seven individuals currently detained by the BLA from Shaban, Quetta, organized a protest outside the Balochistan Assembly on 29 June, demanding their immediate release.
Balochistan’s Interior Minister Ziaullah Langove and Livestock and Dairy Development Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar met with the families during the protest, assuring them of the government’s commitment to rescuing the abductees. However, on 30 June, Pakistani forces, aided by gunship helicopters, launched a large-scale military operation in the Kalat and Bolan areas of Balochistan, which is still ongoing.
On 6 July, Jeeyand Baloch, the spokesperson for the BLA, announced that instead of negotiating, Pakistani forces launched military operations in the surrounding areas. “The insincere behavior of the Pakistani forces has led the BLA Senior Command Council to proceed with the executions without any further extensions,” he said.