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The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) announced on Tuesday that it had executed seven Pakistani military personnel who were taken captive during "Operation Herof II" after receiving approval from its Senior Command Council, according to a report by The Balochistan Post (TBP).
In a statement, the group said the seven individuals belonged to regular units of the Pakistani armed forces and had been convicted by what it referred to as the "Baloch National Court" for alleged involvement in enforced disappearances, abuses against civilians, and other war crimes. The BLA stated that on 14 February it had issued a seven-day ultimatum seeking a prisoner exchange, which it later extended to fourteen days on what it described as humanitarian grounds. The statement added that during the extended period, the group determined that Pakistani military authorities were "not serious" about negotiating the release of their personnel. The BLA claimed that initial communication regarding a potential exchange was a "cunning manoeuvre" intended to buy time for military operations in the region, while Pakistani forces allegedly continued actions involving gunship helicopters, drones, and heavy troop deployments, TBP reported. According to the group, its Senior Command Council concluded that the humanitarian extension had been misused to escalate hostilities and target Baloch fighters. It further alleged that the continued approach of the Pakistani side demonstrated that it "only understands the language of strength and action". The BLA said that in accordance with the final ruling of the so-called "Baloch National Court", the sentences against all seven detainees were carried out on Tuesday. It held Pakistan's military high command responsible for the deaths, accusing it of placing "ego, military misadventures and cunning culture" above the lives of its personnel, as cited in the TBP report. At the time of publication, Pakistani military authorities had not released any official response to the claims, the report added. (ANI)
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