 released photos and videos on February 14 claiming it had captured seven){kind=link}
Army denies authenticity of videos as ultimatum deadline nears
February 20, 2026: Tensions have risen after the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) released photos and videos on February 14 claiming it had captured seven Pakistani soldiers in Balochistan. The group issued a seven-day ultimatum demanding the release of its detained fighters, warning that the captives would be executed after February 21 if negotiations were not initiated. In response, social media accounts linked to Pakistan Army’s X Corps and the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) dismissed the footage as fabricated, alleging the use of artificial intelligence.
However, the BLA subsequently released additional videos showing the seven men together, displaying what they claimed were official Army identification cards. One individual identified as Mohammad Shahram held up his service card and a national identity card issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), questioning the military’s denial of their affiliation. The group also released footage of two other alleged captives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gujranwala, who similarly asserted they were serving personnel.
The episode has drawn comparisons with the 1999 Kargil conflict, when Pakistan initially denied the involvement of regular troops along the Line of Control. Analysts say the current controversy underscores longstanding tensions surrounding Pakistan’s handling of the insurgency in Balochistan and raises concerns about transparency, crisis communication and military accountability. With the February 21 deadline approaching, uncertainty persists over the fate of the captives and the broader implications for civil-military credibility.