India behind unrest in Balochistan: Pak

As fighting continued between nationalist rebels and security forces in Balochistan, Pakistan has accused India of supporting violence in the southwestern province.

‘‘India is supporting the miscreants’’ in Balochistan, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Sherpao told a press conference here yesterday. ‘‘The reaction of the neighbouring country over the action of Pakistan’s law-enforcement agencies against the miscreants is clear evidence that they are being backed by India,’’ he was quoted as saying by the local daily Dawn today.

Surprisingly several other papers reported that he accused a ‘‘hostile neighbour’’ while Dawn quoted him as naming India.

India had last month expressed concern over the Pakistan using helicopter gunships and jet fighters to bombard the rebel positions. Pakistan resented saying that it was interference in its internal affairs. Sherpao made the allegations yesterday after holding talks with pro-government tribal chiefs of the province here.