The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has said six days remain in its deadline for a proposed prisoner exchange involving seven captured Pakistani military personnel, following the release of a new video featuring one of the detained soldiers.
In a statement shared through its media channel “Hakkal,” the group said the remaining time in its ultimatum relates to an exchange offer made after clashes earlier this month in the Ornach area of Khuzdar district, where it claims the soldiers were captured.
The organization released a video showing a detained soldier identified as Muhammad Shehram s/o Muhammad Riaz Ali, a resident of Sheikhupura’s village Amir Singh in Punjab. In the footage, the soldier states his name, rank, and place of origin while holding what appears to be a Pakistani army service card and related documents.
According to the BLA, a total of 17 Pakistani military personnel were taken into custody during the second phase of “Operation Herof.” The group previously stated that 10 of those detained were released after being warned, citing their alleged affiliation with local police and Levies forces.
The remaining seven personnel, described by the group as members of regular Pakistani army units, remain in BLA custody. The organization claims that proceedings were conducted before what it called a “Baloch national court,” where the detainees faced allegations including war crimes, actions against civilian populations, involvement in enforced disappearances, and participation in what the group described as acts of genocide against Baloch people.
The BLA said its command council decided to grant Pakistan a seven-day deadline, citing international wartime principles and norms governing prisoner exchanges. It stated that if Pakistani authorities formally agree to a prisoner swap within the specified period, the seven detained soldiers could be exchanged for Baloch prisoners.
In the latest video statement, the group said six days now remain for Pakistan to respond.
The organization reiterated that the release of the seven soldiers is conditional upon the release of Baloch prisoners. It warned that if no formal or practical progress is made within the deadline, the death sentences announced by the group’s court would be carried out.
Pakistani authorities have not publicly responded to the claims at the time of publication.