India has rejected Pakistan’s allegations that it is behind the violence in Pakistan, including the recent train hijacking by Baloch rebels. In a strong statement, India dismissed the claims that it is responsible for the unrest in Balochistan, a region where a longstanding independence movement has been active for decades.
The Indian government stated that Pakistan should focus on addressing its own internal problems rather than blaming other nations. The Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement saying, “We strongly reject Pakistan’s unfounded allegations. The world knows where the epicenter of global terrorism is located. Pakistan should look within itself rather than shifting blame for its own issues onto others.”
This response came after a senior Pakistani official accused India of sponsoring terrorism and trying to destabilize its neighboring countries.
The accusation followed the hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) during its 30-hour journey from Quetta to Peshawar, which resulted in the deaths of 21 hostages and four security personnel.
Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan suggested that the attack was planned from abroad but did not directly blame India. He mentioned that the BLA rebels were in constant contact with their handlers in Afghanistan during the siege. However, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s position that India has been involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan.
The BLA is one of several armed groups fighting for independence in Balochistan, the largest but sparsely populated province in Pakistan. These groups have been in conflict with Pakistan since the region’s integration into the country after the 1947 Partition. Violence in the region has increased in recent months, with Baloch rebels targeting security forces and Chinese-funded infrastructure. There have also been reports of forced disappearances by state forces, further intensifying local dissatisfaction with the Pakistani government.
