In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) dismissed the Pakistan Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR)’s announcement of concluding military operations in Bolan, Balochistan, as a “lie.” The militant group asserted that the operation is ongoing and accused the Pakistani Army of suppressing the true casualty figures to maintain troop morale.

The BLA called on international media to conduct independent investigations into the situation, urging them to move beyond the narrative propagated by the Pakistani state and its media. “Pakistan ISPR’s claim of ending the operation at Bolan is false, and the battle continues. The Pakistani Army has not yet publicly shared the names and photographs of over 100 soldiers killed. Similarly, no names or photos of the 33 Baloch fighters have been released,” the BLA stated.

The controversy stems from a recent train hijacking incident involving the Jaffar Express, which was traveling from Quetta to Peshawar with 440 passengers on board. Militants derailed the train using explosives and hijacked it near the mountainous terrain of Gudalar and Piru Kunri, approximately 160 kilometers from Quetta. The BLA claimed responsibility for the attack, which led to a two-day rescue operation by Pakistani security forces.

According to the Pakistani Army, more than 340 passengers were rescued, and the bodies of at least 25 people, including 21 hostages, were recovered from the site. The army also confirmed the deaths of 28 soldiers, 27 of whom were reportedly off-duty. However, the BLA countered these claims, asserting that over 100 Pakistani soldiers had been killed in the operation.

Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province by area, has been a hotspot for insurgent activities for years. The region has witnessed a surge in terrorist attacks over the past year, with Baloch militants frequently targeting railway tracks using rockets or remote-controlled explosives. The BLA has claimed responsibility for most of these attacks.

In October 2023, Pakistan Railways resumed train services between Quetta and Peshawar after a suspension of more than six weeks. However, just a month later, a suicide blast at Quetta Railway Station killed at least 26 people and injured 62 others, further highlighting the volatile security situation in the region.

The BLA’s latest statement underscores the ongoing tensions between Baloch separatists and the Pakistani state. The group’s allegations of concealed casualties and its call for independent media investigations reflect its efforts to challenge the official narrative and draw international attention to the conflict in Balochistan.

Moscow has expressed readiness to engage in discussions with the United States regarding a peace initiative on Ukraine. The announcement came from Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, who confirmed that diplomatic contacts could happen as early as Thursday.

Following high-level discussions between US and Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday, Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal, which the US subsequently relayed to Moscow.

Russia signals willingness for dialogue

Zakharova stated, “We are ready to discuss the initiatives set out there in future contacts with the United States. Such contacts are already possible as early as today.”

The Kremlin also confirmed that US negotiators were en route to Russia. Additionally, Russian foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov and US National Security Adviser Mike Waltz spoke over the phone on Wednesday, signaling active diplomatic engagement.

A potential step towards de-escalation?

The development marks a potential shift in the prolonged conflict, with Russia indicating a willingness to discuss peace terms. However, the outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, with both sides maintaining firm positions on key issues.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the international community is closely monitoring whether this latest initiative will lead to meaningful de-escalation or if the conflict will persist without resolution.

In a surprising development, not a single Pakistani cricketer was selected in the 2025 draft for The Hundred, raising speculation about a possible ‘soft ban’ following the involvement of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchises in the tournament.

A total of 45 Pakistani players had registered for the men’s draft, while five female cricketers were also in contention. While Pakistani women have not been selected in the past, this marks the first instance of no men’s cricketers being picked since the league’s inception.

Possible IPL influence?

Four of the eight teams in The Hundred now have partial or complete ownership by IPL franchises: Oval Invincibles (Mumbai Indians), Manchester Originals (Lucknow Super Giants). Northern Superchargers (SunRisers Hyderabad) and Southern Brave (Delhi Capitals)

This scenario mirrors the SA20 league in South Africa, where no Pakistani cricketer has participated in three seasons, fuelling concerns over potential influence from IPL franchise owners.

Scheduling conflicts with Pakistan’s international commitments

However, reports suggest that the main reason for Pakistani players’ exclusion could be their uncertain availability. Pakistan is expected to play a three-match ODI and T20I series against the West Indies from late July to mid-August, coinciding with The Hundred’s schedule. There is also speculation about additional T20Is against Afghanistan and Bangladesh before the Asia Cup in September.

Furthermore, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has previously withheld No Objection Certificates (NoCs) for players, as seen last season when pacer Shaheen Afridi pulled out of The Hundred due to personal reasons, only to later be denied an NoC by the PCB.

ECB dismisses ownership concerns

Despite the speculation, England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chair Richard Gould previously assured that Pakistani players’ participation in The Hundred would not be affected by ownership changes. “We’re aware of that in other regions, but that won’t be happening here,” Gould stated last month.

Meanwhile, no Indian male cricketers participated in the draft, consistent with the Board of Control for Cricket in India’s (BCCI) policy. However, Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma will represent London Spirit in the women’s competition.