India has strongly rejected Pakistan's recent accusations of "sponsoring terrorism," following Islamabad's attempt to blame New Delhi for backing terror activities. The statement came in response to Pakistan's allegations linked to the recent Balochistan train attack, which claimed the lives of 21 passengers. However, Pakistan stopped short of directly linking India to the attack, instead shifting blame toward Afghanistan. In a firm response, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for India’s Ministry of External Affairs, dismissed the accusations, calling them baseless and unfounded. He asserted that the international community is fully aware of the true "epicentre of global terrorism". Jaiswal stated that Pakistan should focus on addressing its internal security issues rather than deflecting blame onto neighboring countries. "We strongly reject the baseless allegations made by Pakistan. The whole world knows where the epicentre of global terrorism lies," said Jaiswal. He further advised Pakistan to introspect and resolve its domestic challenges instead of resorting to accusations that lack evidence.
 

The allegations emerged following the deadly Jaffar Express train attack in Balochistan, where passengers were targeted, and a prolonged 24-hour hostage crisis ensued. While Pakistan has often accused India of supporting Baloch separatist groups, this time, Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, Shafqat Ali Khan, claimed the attack’s coordination was traced to Afghanistan. “There is no shift in our policy. And again, the facts have not changed. India is involved in sponsoring terrorism against Pakistan,” Khan said. However, he went on to clarify that in the recent incident, evidence pointed to communications linked to Afghanistan. The Pakistani spokesperson further accused India of orchestrating a "global assassination campaign" and destabilizing its neighboring countries. Khan alleged that Indian media was “glorifying” the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which Pakistan designates as a terrorist organization. In addition to blaming India, Khan also urged Afghanistan to take responsibility, claiming the attackers were in constant contact with "Afghanistan-based planners" throughout the Jaffar Express attack. He called on the Taliban government to ensure Afghan territory is not used as a base for militant activities targeting Pakistan.
 

“We urge Afghanistan to hold the perpetrators, organisers, and financiers of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and cooperate with the government of Pakistan to bring all those who are concerned with this attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism, to justice,” Khan said. The Taliban, however, swiftly rejected Pakistan’s claims. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Abdul Qahar Balkhi, dismissed these allegations, calling them irresponsible remarks. Balkhi urged Pakistan to focus on solving its internal security problems instead of dragging Afghanistan into its political tensions. Meanwhile, Pakistan reiterated its policy regarding Afghan Citizen Card (ACC) holders. Pakistan confirmed that the March 31 deadline for ACC holders to leave the country remains unchanged.
 

"We had a special provision regarding Afghan Citizen Cards (ACC). They were also given some extraordinary relaxation. It was a step that the government of Pakistan took, by allowing them to stay, but it was not an indefinite leave to stay. Now the government has decided that people with ACC should leave the country by March 31. Beyond that, they will be deemed illegal residents in Pakistan, and the law will take its course," Khan explained. This latest exchange of accusations has further strained diplomatic relations between India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. With tensions already high following the Delhi Liquor Scam, political instability in Pakistan, and growing insecurity in Balochistan, the allegations have intensified the regional geopolitical landscape. India’s firm rebuttal emphasizes its position that Pakistan’s repeated claims are an attempt to divert attention from its own domestic security failures. With Afghanistan also rejecting Islamabad’s accusations, the incident has deepened the ongoing political tension in South Asia. As the investigation into the Jaffar Express attack continues, international observers are closely monitoring the situation for further developments.