Pak army officer accuses India of stoking violence in Balochistan

Islamabad, April 2: A senior Pakistani military official today accused India of stoking violence in the restive Balochistan province.

"The arrest of the Indian spy has proven Indian state sponsored terrorism in Pakistan," Inspector General Frontier Corps (IGFC), Major General Sher Afgan, said, addressing media at FC headquarters in provincial capital Quetta.

Afgan, who is leading paramilitary FC in the fight against extremism and militancy in the province, said there was no indigenous armed movement in Balochistan as those involved in violence were "supported from abroad". He said "in addition to India, Afghan intelligence was also involved in terrorism."

The IGFC also claimed that the arrest of Kulbushan Yadhav had led to arrest of his facilitators. The military official also alleged that India was trying to sabotage the USD 46-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

Kulbhushan, who was reportedly arrested in Balochistan after he entered from Iran, has been accused by Pakistan of planning "subversive activities" in the country.

Pakistan Army had also released a "confessional video" of Yadav, who said he was the serving Indian Navy officer. In the video, Yadav said that he arrived in Iran in 2003 and started a small business in Chahbahar. India has acknowledged Yadav as a retired Indian Navy officer, but denied the allegation that he was in any way connected to the government.

PTI