India has rejected Pakistan’s allegations that the recent deadly attacks in Balochistan were backed by New Delhi. The southwestern province of Pakistan has seen one of its deadliest flare-ups in years, as insurgents carried out coordinated assaults on civilians, security forces, and infrastructure, leaving at least 33 people dead.
In a statement on X, India’s Foreign Ministry called the accusations “baseless”, describing them as Pakistan’s usual tactic to divert attention from its own internal problems. The statement came after Pakistan’s military and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi alleged Indian involvement in the attacks.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal advised Pakistan to focus on addressing the long-standing grievances of Balochistan residents instead of making unsubstantiated claims. “Rather than repeating frivolous allegations after every violent incident, Islamabad should work on meeting the legitimate demands of its people. Its record of suppression and human rights violations is well known,” he said.
Details of the Attacks
On Saturday, attackers dressed as civilians struck hospitals, schools, banks, and markets, opening fire on ordinary people, according to Pakistan’s junior interior minister Talal Chaudhry. He added that the attackers also used civilians as human shields.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti reported 17 security personnel and 31 civilians killed during the attacks. Pakistan’s military said 92 separatists were killed on Saturday and 41 on Friday. Bugti noted that intelligence had indicated such an operation, allowing security forces to conduct pre-emptive counter-operations.
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The assaults occurred across Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung, and Noshki districts, targeting security installations including a Frontier Corps headquarters, attempting suicide bombings, and temporarily blocking urban roads. The army, police, and counterterrorism units prevented attackers from taking control of any city or key installation.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that two attacks involved female assailants and that separatists are increasingly targeting civilians, laborers, and low-income communities.
Separatists Claim Responsibility
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claimed responsibility for the attacks, naming the operation “Herof” or “Black Storm”. The group stated it killed 84 security personnel and captured 18 others.
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest and poorest province, has endured a decades-long insurgency, with ethnic Baloch separatists demanding greater autonomy and a larger share of its natural resources.