Who are the BLA – the group behind Pakistan’s deadly train hijack?

Pakistani security officials secure the Quetta Railway Station after all train services were suspended following an attack by Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) fighters on the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express train on March 11 [Sami Khan/EPA]

Islamabad, Pakistan – Security forces in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan say they have concluded a military operation against armed separatists who hijacked the Peshawar-bound Jaffar Express on Tuesday, rescuing 346 passengers.

Officials said the military had killed all 33 of the attackers from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA).