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Seven-day ultimatum issued amid renewed tensions in Balochistan
February 15, 2026: Pakistan’s restive Balochistan province has again drawn national attention after the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) released a video claiming it is holding seven Pakistani soldiers captured during “Operation Herof 2.0,” conducted between January 31 and February 6. The group stated that 17 government personnel were initially detained, but ten administrative officials were released within 24 hours, with only uniformed military personnel kept in custody. The BLA has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the Pakistani army, demanding the release of detained Baloch fighters in exchange for the soldiers.
In the one-minute-and-19-second video, two captives identify themselves, including Shams Tabrez, who says he is a Naik in the Pakistan Army from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He appeals to military authorities to negotiate and accept a proposed prisoner swap so that he and the others can return home safely. The footage has intensified scrutiny of the security situation in Balochistan, a province that has witnessed decades of insurgency and counterinsurgency operations.
The latest development places Islamabad in a challenging position, as it balances its hardline stance against separatist groups with pressure to secure the safe return of its personnel. Baloch groups have long accused Pakistani security agencies of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial actions—allegations consistently denied by the government. With a seven-day deadline set by the BLA, the situation remains tense, underscoring the unresolved conflict in the region.