India on Sunday strongly rejected allegations made by Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership that New Delhi was linked to a series of violent attacks in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, calling the accusations baseless and an attempt to divert attention from Pakistan’s own internal problems.

The response came after multiple coordinated attacks were carried out at nearly a dozen locations across Balochistan. The attacks were claimed by the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist group active in the region. Following the incidents, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi alleged that India was responsible for planning and supporting the assaults. The Pakistani military’s media wing also issued a statement claiming the attacks were carried out by what it described as “Indian sponsored Fitna al Hindustan,” a term it uses to refer to the BLA.

India’s Ministry of External Affairs firmly dismissed these allegations. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We categorically reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan, which are nothing but its usual tactics to deflect attention from its own internal failings.”

Jaiswal further criticised Pakistan for repeatedly blaming India whenever violence occurs within its borders. “Instead of parroting frivolous claims each time there is a violent incident, it would do better to focus on addressing long-standing demands of its people in the region,” he said. He was referring to grievances in Balochistan, where local populations have long demanded greater autonomy and more control over the province’s natural resources, including gas and mineral wealth.

The spokesperson also highlighted Pakistan’s record in the region, stating that Pakistan’s “record of suppression, brutality and violation of human rights is well known.”

According to Pakistani authorities, the coordinated attacks targeted several locations, including the provincial capital Quetta and the port city of Gwadar. Officials said the violence resulted in the deaths of 18 civilians and 15 members of the security forces. They added that suicide bombers were involved and that women fighters from the BLA also took part in the attacks.

Pakistan’s military claimed it responded with a series of counter-operations across Balochistan, during which 133 militants were killed. The military did not provide further details about these operations but maintained that the actions were aimed at restoring security in the region.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, speaking at a news conference in Quetta late on Saturday night, directly accused India of orchestrating the violence. “India is behind these attacks,” Naqvi said. “I can tell you for sure that India planned these attacks along with these terrorists.”

Meanwhile, the Baloch Liberation Army issued its own statement on Saturday, claiming responsibility for the assaults. The group said it had launched “Operation Herof 2.0” and described the attacks as coordinated strikes on multiple locations across Balochistan.

India has consistently denied any involvement in unrest in Balochistan and has maintained that Pakistan uses such allegations to shift focus away from its domestic challenges. The latest exchange adds to the long-standing tensions between the two neighbours, particularly over issues related to security, militancy, and human rights.