In a tragic incident that shook southwestern Pakistan, a suicide car bomber targeted a school bus on Wednesday, resulting in the deaths of five individuals, including at least three children. The attack took place on the outskirts of the city of Khuduzar in the tense Balochistan province, known for its long-standing insurgency. Various separatist groups, including the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), have been behind such attacks, causing fear and instability in the region.
The school bus, carrying children to their military-run school, was viciously attacked by the suicide bomber, leaving 38 others wounded. The aftermath of the bombing was devastating, with the bus in ruins and debris scattered around the area. The local deputy commissioner, Yasir Iqbal, confirmed the details of the attack, emphasizing the heinous nature of targeting innocent children on their way to school.
Despite the lack of an immediate claim of responsibility, suspicions point towards ethnic Baloch separatists, who have a history of targeting security forces and civilians in the region. The attack drew condemnation from Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who referred to the perpetrators as “beasts” deserving no mercy. The military also issued a statement, alleging that the attack was orchestrated by neighboring India and carried out by proxies in Balochistan. Amidst the chaos and tragedy, the focus remains on the victims, with fears of the death toll rising as critical condition reports come in.
