Fri Mar 14 10:45:00 UTC 2025: ## India Rejects Pakistan’s Accusations of Involvement in Balochistan Violence

**NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD** – India has vehemently denied Pakistan’s accusations that it is fueling unrest in Balochistan following a deadly train hijacking by Baloch rebels. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong statement rejecting the allegations as “baseless,” asserting that Pakistan should “look inwards” to address its internal problems instead of blaming others. The statement reiterated India’s long-held position that Pakistan harbors a significant terrorist threat.

The accusations came after a senior Pakistani official blamed India for sponsoring terrorism and attempting to destabilize its neighboring countries. This followed the hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), resulting in the deaths of 21 hostages and four security personnel. The 30-hour siege ended with the rebels’ release of the remaining hostages.

While Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, did not directly implicate India in the train attack, he stated that the BLA rebels communicated with handlers based in Afghanistan during the siege. He insisted that Pakistan’s policy of accusing India of involvement in BLA activities remains unchanged.

The BLA is one of several armed groups fighting for independence in Balochistan, claiming the region was forced into union with Pakistan during the 1947 partition. Recent months have witnessed a surge in violence, with Baloch rebels increasingly targeting security forces and Chinese-funded infrastructure projects. Allegations of hundreds of enforced disappearances by Pakistani state forces further fuel discontent within the region.

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