Fri Mar 14 05:04:47 UTC 2025: ## India Rejects Pakistan’s Accusations of Involvement in Balochistan Violence
**NEW DELHI/ISLAMABAD** – India has vehemently rejected 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 statement strongly condemning the allegations, asserting that Pakistan should “look inwards” instead of blaming others for its internal problems. The statement reiterated India’s long-held position that Pakistan harbors a hotbed of terrorism.
The Pakistani accusations followed the hijacking of the Jaffar Express by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), resulting in the deaths of 21 hostages and four security personnel. While Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan stated that the attack was orchestrated from abroad and that the BLA had contact with handlers in Afghanistan, he maintained that India remains implicated in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan. He denied any shift in Pakistan’s policy regarding India’s alleged involvement with the BLA.
The BLA, one of several armed groups fighting for Balochistan’s independence since its forced merger with Pakistan in 1947, has intensified its attacks in recent months, targeting security forces and Chinese-funded infrastructure projects. The region has also witnessed numerous alleged forced disappearances by state forces, further fueling discontent among the local population. The escalating violence underscores the ongoing instability in the resource-rich province. India’s firm denial highlights the deepening tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.
First Piper 