Backing groups at expense of regional security will backfire: Foreign Ministry

The recent developments in the fight against terrorism, including the surrender of a commander of the Baloch National Army, will bring more prosperity to Balochistan, the country and the South Asian region, Pakistani experts said.

Condemning India's alleged involvement in terrorist acts, they also said Pakistan and China will continue to strive for greater cooperation in economic, trade, and investment fields to foster long-term peace and prosperity in the region.

One of the key commanders of the Baloch National Army, Sarfraz Bangulzai, who on Dec 20 surrendered to the Pakistani government, later disclosed India had been secretly supporting terrorist activities in Balochistan and financing Balochistan separatist forces, some overseas media agencies reported.

Officials in Balochistan said the support for and use of terrorists by India is the main reason behind the increase in terrorist activities in the Pakistani province.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular briefing last week, "We noticed relevant reports. Terrorism is humanity's common enemy."

She said that China firmly opposes double standards on counterterrorism.

"To support and use terrorist groups and let them thrive out of one's selfish interests at the expense of international and regional security benefits no one and will only backfire," Mao said.

China stands for strengthening counterterrorism cooperation among all countries to jointly fight all forms of terrorism, she added.

Irfan Shahzad Takalvi, founder of Eurasian Century Institute in Islamabad, said India's "interference and support for anti-Pakistan terrorists" is no secret.

"Those who are captured by Pakistani forces certainly expose it (India's role), but it actually is well understood by those observing the situation in Balochistan and in the Pakistan and Afghanistan border," he said, adding that countries in the region are "not comfortable with India's interference in Pakistan, especially Balochistan."

The Chinese authorities paying attention to it and addressing the issue is a welcome development, he said, adding China is undeniably concerned about the stability of Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan.

"Gwadar serves as one of the most important nodes of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and the Belt and Road Initiative," he said. "China has a very clear position on terrorism, and in fact, China stands alone as one of the most effective global forces against terrorism."

"As the Chinese spokesperson has highlighted, double standards serve regional and global peace a big blow, and they must be addressed," Takalvi added.

Tahir Farooq, editor-in-chief of Daily Ittehad Media Group and Pakistan Economic Net, said, "It is very clear that India is behind some terrorist attempts being made in Pakistan." But India should understand that Pakistan has the capacity to fight out terrorism, and it will complete the CPEC at any cost, he said.

India should understand that such cowardly acts will only increase hatred, Farooq said, adding that India should instead concentrate on its internal issues.

India has been trying to destabilize Pakistan and the entire region, he said. "If we look at the track record of India, it was supporting Tamil separatists in Sri Lanka."

Khalid Taimur Akram, executive director of the Islamabad-based Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future, said the arrest of Kulbhushan Jadhav, revealed as a deep cover RAW operative detained in Balochistan, further underscores the depth of India's involvement in the region. The Research and Analysis Wing is India's external intelligence agency.

Transformative potential

Notably, Pakistan has been actively involved in fostering economic development through projects such as the CPEC, he noted. The CPEC, a multibillion-dollar initiative, holds transformative potential for both Pakistan and China, Akram said.

"Despite security challenges, China continues to invest in projects such as Gwadar (port) and other CPEC-related endeavors, underscoring its commitment to regional progress," he said, adding that the dedication of Pakistan's security forces in combating terrorism and separatism has been evident, particularly in Balochistan.

According to Akram, India's "support for separatist forces in Balochistan is seen as a strategy to destabilize the region".

India's alleged "backing of militant groups and promotion of terrorism in the vicinity of the CPEC poses a significant threat to regional security", he noted.

"The accusation extends to India providing training, weapons, and financial assistance to promote militancy and terrorism in Balochistan."

However, he noted that Pakistani security agencies have successfully dismantled Jadhav's entire network, exposing a complex web of activities designed to undermine security and stability in the region.

In another development, five terrorists were killed in an operation by the security forces in the Awaran district of Balochistan, the military said on Sunday, Xinhua News Agency reported.