India on Sunday rejected Pakistan’s allegations that India was involved in the coordinated militant attacks in Balochistan over the past few days, describing the allegations as an attempt to deflect attention from Pakistan’s “own internal failings”.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said: “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.”

The foreign ministry said that Pakistan’s “record of suppression, brutality and violation of human rights is well-known”.

The attacks took place across multiple districts of Balochistan, including Quetta, Gwadar, Mastung and Noshki. Pakistan’s Junior Interior Minister Talal Chaudhry was quoted as saying by Reuters that attackers, dressed as civilians, entered hospitals, schools, banks and markets before opening fire.

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Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti was quoted as saying by the news agency that 17 law enforcement personnel and 31 civilians were killed in the militant attacks.

The banned separatist group Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying it had launched a coordinated operation dubbed Herof, or “black storm”, targeting security forces across the province, Reuters reported.

Following the attacks, the Pakistan military launched an offensive against alleged militants, and claimed to have killed 145 persons on January 30 and January 31.

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The Pakistani military alleged on Saturday that the attacks in Balochistan were carried out by “Indian-sponsored militants”.

Pakistan’s Interior minister Mohsin Naqvi too blamed India for Saturday’s attacks at a press conference.

“The most important thing that is necessary for the world to know now is that these terrorists are not normal terrorists. India is behind those attacks,” Naqvi said in a press conference. He also accused India of planning the attacks and providing financial support to militants.