New Delhi: India on Sunday categorically trashed Pakistan’s allegations of an “Indian hand” behind recent violence in Balochistan, dismissing the claims as baseless tactics to divert attention from Islamabad’s internal failures. In a sharp rebuttal amid ongoing Budget Session discussions, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal rejected accusations from Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and military, who linked New Delhi to coordinated suicide and gun attacks that killed dozens, according to reports.
The attacks on Saturday across Balochistan’s restive southwestern province claimed 33 lives, including civilians, with security forces reporting 92 militants neutralized, according to Pakistani authorities. The outlawed Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility, releasing videos of assaults including arson on banks and vehicles, featuring female fighters for propaganda. Jaiswal stated: “We categorically reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan, which are nothing but its usual tactics to deflect attention from its own internal failings.”
India urged Pakistan to address Balochistan’s “long-standing demands” instead of “parroting frivolous claims,” spotlighting Islamabad’s well-documented record of “suppression, brutality, and violation of human rights” in the resource-rich region. MEA emphasized that such blame games follow Pakistan’s security lapses, rooted in unresolved political grievances rather than external interference.
This exchange escalates tensions post-India’s Balakot strikes and amid CPEC projects in Balochistan, where separatists demand autonomy and resource shares.
No official Pakistani response followed yet, but the spat underscores fragile India-Pakistan ties amid global scrutiny on Balochistan’s unrest.
