QUETTA: The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has released a video of another Pakistani soldier in its custody amid its ongoing offer for a prisoner exchange.
According to the group, six days remain in the ultimatum it announced regarding the proposed exchange of prisoners.
The BLA stated that seven Pakistani military personnel were captured earlier this month during clashes in the Ornach area of Khuzdar, Balochistan. The group has offered to release the detained soldiers in exchange for Baloch prisoners and said six days remain before the deadline expires.
Through its media channel “Hakkal,” the BLA released a video of a detained soldier identified as Muhammad Shehram, son of Muhammad Riaz Ali, a resident of Sheikhupura, village Amir Singh, Punjab. In the video, the soldier states his name, area of residence, and rank. He is also seen holding what appears to be his Pakistan Army service card and other documents.
A day earlier, the group had published photographs and details of the detained personnel, claiming that 17 Pakistani security personnel were taken into custody during “Operation Herof II.” It said that 10 of them were later released with a warning due to their affiliation with local police and Levies forces.
The BLA stated that its command council had decided to grant Pakistan a seven-day deadline in line with international principles of war and regulations concerning prisoner exchanges. It said that if the state formally agrees to a prisoner exchange within this period, the seven detained soldiers could be exchanged for Baloch prisoners.
The group further stated that the release of the seven soldiers is conditional upon the release of Baloch prisoners. It warned that if no formal and practical progress is made within the remaining days, it would implement the death sentences issued by the “Baloch National Court.”
