Musharraf says India aiding Baluchi rebels

NEW DELHI - Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf accused India of arming and financing rebels in the Pakistani province of Baluchistan, charges that could push back a peace process between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Pakistan's army launched a crackdown against Baluchistan militants after a December 14 rocket attack while Musharraf was visiting the region. Baluchi nationalists say 200 people have since been killed, but Pakistan has not commented on casualties.

Though India and Pakistan are involved in a two-year peace process that has seen economic, sporting, cultural and transport links improve, tensions remain over Kashmir, their main dispute.

When asked whether India was backing armed Baluchi rebels, Musharraf told TV channel CNN-IBN in an interview aired on Sunday: "There are lot of indications, yes indeed."

There is a "lot of financial support, support in kind being given to those who are anti-government, anti-me and to those feudal people who are anti-national," the Pakistani leader said.

A spat erupted this month after India expressed concerns about the situation in Pakistan's southwestern province of Baluchistan.

India on Saturday rejected earlier Pakistani charges of involvement in Baluchistan.

"As far as any allegations about India's interference in Baluchistan are concerned, I would like to categorically reject these allegations as being utterly baseless and false," Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Navtej Sarna said.

Musharraf said he hoped the dispute over Baluchistan would not hurt the peace process between the two nuclear-armed neighbours which have fought three wars.

"It should not be a setback to the process of dialogue of resolution (of disputes).

Opposition parties in Baluchistan accuse the government of using helicopter gunships and warplanes to rocket and bomb civilians in northern Baluchistan.

New Delhi last month said it had noted with concern reports of the use of gunships and jet fighters in Baluchistan and hoped Islamabad would show "restraint".

Musharraf said he has "annoyed" and "disappointed" by New Delhi's statements and alleged actions in Baluchistan.

"It's a direct interference in our internal affairs," he told CNN-IBN.