Deadline naars: BLA releases dramatic footage of alleged captive Pakistani troops

The separatist militant outfit Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has released a purported video showing seven Pakistani Army personnel whom it claims are in its custody.

The video surfaced as the group’s self-declared deadline for a proposed prisoner exchange approaches on February 22.

In the footage, the alleged soldiers are seen kneeling on the ground, flanked by armed men. The clip appears to have been filmed in a rugged, mountainous region.

The group has warned that the captives will face execution if its demands are not met.

However, Pakistani military officials have reportedly denied that any soldiers are missing or being held by militants, contradicting the visuals circulating online, according to a report by India Today.

In the video, the individuals identified as army personnel are seen holding what appear to be official service cards and national identity documents on camera.

Earlier local media reports had claimed that seven Pakistani soldiers were abducted by the separatist group.

What is the Balochistan Liberation Army?

The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is a separatist militant organisation operating in Pakistan’s Balochistan province. It has been involved in a long-running insurgency seeking greater autonomy or independence for the region.

In 2025, the U.S. Department of State designated the BLA, along with its alias the Majeed Brigade, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). The Majeed Brigade was also added as an alias under the BLA’s existing Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) designation.