A suicide bombing on a school bus in Khuzdar, southwestern Pakistan, claimed the lives of three students and two adults on Wednesday, highlighting the worsening security crisis in the region. The bus, carrying children of military personnel from the Army Public Schools network, was hit by the explosion, injuring 38 others, according to local officials.
Balochistan, a mineral-rich province plagued by a long-running separatist insurgency demanding more autonomy, has seen repeated attacks in recent years. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing.
Pakistan’s military quickly blamed “Indian proxies” for the attack, echoing long-standing accusations against neighboring India—claims New Delhi vehemently denies, calling them baseless and politically motivated.
The incident follows a recent spike in violence in Balochistan, including a hostage crisis by the Baloch Liberation Army that left dozens dead. Children have often been victims in Pakistan’s terror attacks, with one of the deadliest incidents in 2014 targeting schoolchildren in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Tensions between Pakistan and India remain high after a recent cross-border conflict, adding complexity to the security situation. Pakistan’s Prime Minister condemned the attack and reiterated accusations against India, while India expressed condolences but rejected the blame.
This tragic event underscores ongoing challenges in ensuring safety in conflict-prone areas and the broader geopolitical tensions affecting the region’s stability.
