Sunday, January 1 2006 11:21 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Notwithstanding Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf terming as 'intriguing' India's comment on Balochistan, New Delhi today (Jan 01, 2006) asserted there was nothing wrong in reacting to the 'serious situation' in the neighbouring country, particularly when it waves 'red rags' at India virtually on daily basis.

India insists that the statement by External Affairs Ministry spokesman in response to a question by journalists earlier this week was 'nothing unusual or extraordinary'.

"Why should there be inhibition on our side to say something on what is happening in our neighbourhood? A serious situation has been developing in Balochistan and when a reaction was sought, the MEA spokesman gave it", a senior government official said responding to Pakistan's objection.

Pakistan waves "red rags at us virtually on daily basis", he said.

Musharraf had on Friday said that India's reaction was 'intriguing'.

India had on December 27 noted with 'concern' the heavy military action in Balochistan and said Pakistan should 'exercise restraint' and address the grievances of the people of the region through peaceful discussions.

The reaction came when journalists sought a response from the External Affairs Ministry spokesman in the wake of reported killing of 50 local people in the army action, involving helicopter gun ships.

New Delhi insisted that the reaction it gave was 'quite restrained and reasonable' and did not mark any departure from its policy on Pakistan.

Officials here said that India's comment on happenings in Balochistan was not unjustified since Pakistan also keeps on talking about situation in Jammu and Kashmir although 'no human rights violations' are taking place there from the government side unlike in Balochistan.

Talking about Pakistan's suggestions for 'self-governance' in Jammu and Kashmir, the officials said Islamabad is used to making such comments irrespective of the fact that a popularly-elected government is in place in the state unlike in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Northern Areas under Pakistan's control.

Locals in Balochistan have been up in arms alleging denial of rights and deprivation.

The situation in Balochistan found its echo in Pakistan's Parliament recently with leader of Opposition in Senate Mian Raza Rabbani saying that people of the area had 'genuine complaints' towards Islamabad as they were denied royalty on gas, were not being provided any benefit from natural resources of the province and even did not have any right in mega projects like Gwadar port, coastal highway and Meerani dam.

He told the House that Balochistan Assembly had passed a resolution against the military operation in the province but it was ignored and force was being used without taking elected representatives of the region into confidence.