On May 21, 2025, a devastating suicide bombing targeted a school bus in Khuzdar, Balochistan, resulting in the deaths of at least six individuals, including four children, and injuring over 38 others. In response, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir promptly traveled to Quetta to meet with the victims and oversee the situation.(Wikipedia, Aaj English TV)
The Attack: A Tragic Day in Khuzdar
The attack occurred around 7:40 a.m. local time when a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) struck a school bus transporting students of the Army Public School in Khuzdar. The explosion claimed the lives of four children, the bus driver, and a security guard, while injuring more than 38 others, many of whom remain in critical condition. (Wikipedia, The Guardian)
High-Level Visit: Condolences and Commitment
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accompanied by Field Marshal Asim Munir, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and other officials, visited Quetta to express their condolences and meet with the injured children and their families. During the visit, both leaders condemned the attack as a “shameful and despicable act of terrorism” and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. (Aaj English TV, The Express Tribune)
Accusations Against India
In the aftermath of the attack, Pakistani authorities accused India of orchestrating the bombing through proxy militant groups. The Pakistani military referred to the attackers as “state-sponsored proxies” of India, alleging that such acts are part of a broader strategy to destabilize Pakistan. (Wikipedia, The Express Tribune)
Prime Minister Sharif echoed these sentiments, stating that the attack on a school bus by terrorists backed by India is clear proof of their hostility toward education in Balochistan. (AP News)
India’s Response
India’s foreign ministry dismissed Pakistan’s allegations as baseless, asserting that such claims are attempts to divert attention from internal issues. (The Guardian)
Broader Implications
This tragic incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in Balochistan, a region plagued by a long-standing insurgency led by separatist groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). While no group has claimed responsibility for the Khuzdar attack, suspicion falls on ethnic Baloch insurgents. (AP News)
The attack also highlights the vulnerability of educational institutions in conflict zones, drawing parallels to the 2014 Peshawar school massacre by the Pakistani Taliban.(AP News)
Government’s Pledge
The Pakistani leadership has pledged to intensify efforts to combat terrorism and ensure the safety of its citizens. Prime Minister Sharif emphasized the nation’s resolve to bring the fight against foreign-sponsored terrorism to its logical and decisive end. (Dunya News, ARY NEWS)
Conclusion
The Khuzdar school bus attack is a stark reminder of the persistent threats facing Pakistan, particularly in regions like Balochistan. As the nation mourns the loss of innocent lives, its leadership’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring justice for the victims remains steadfast.(Wikipedia