ISLAMABAD (PEN) : A tragic attack on a school bus in Khuzdar has left at least five children dead and more than 40 others injured. The blast occurred near Zero Point, a busy junction along the Karachi-Quetta National Highway, in the early hours of Wednesday.
Details of the Attack
Local authorities report that the explosion was caused by a vehicle loaded with explosives, which was remotely detonated as the school bus passed by. According to police, the explosives had been planted in a parked vehicle along the roadside.
“The blast was triggered when the school bus came close to the vehicle, which was rigged with explosives,” a senior police official said. Authorities are investigating the type of device used and the people responsible for the attack.
Casualties and Response
Deputy Commissioner Khuzdar confirmed that five individuals, including three children, lost their lives in the explosion. More than 40 others sustained injuries, some critically. The injured were immediately transferred to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for treatment.
Rescue teams and security forces rushed to the scene, securing the area and diverting traffic to maintain order. Investigations into the attack are ongoing, and officials are working to identify the perpetrators.
Suicide Attack Claims and Indian Allegations
In the aftermath of the attack, the Pakistan Army’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), accused India of orchestrating the attack through its proxy networks. According to ISPR, this was part of a broader effort to destabilize Pakistan.
“This attack was executed by Indian intelligence services using their proxy organizations, targeting innocent children,” the ISPR said in a statement. The military condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act” and an example of India’s “state-sponsored terrorism.” They further stated that such actions would not weaken Pakistan’s resolve to combat terrorism.
The statement from the military described the incident as a continuation of India’s alleged efforts to create instability in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa following recent setbacks in military operations. ISPR vowed to bring those responsible to justice and asserted that the Pakistani armed forces would continue to work towards eradicating terrorism from the country.
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### National and International Condemnation
The attack has sparked widespread condemnation from Pakistani officials. Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed his sorrow over the deaths of the children, calling the attack a “heinous conspiracy aimed at destabilizing the country.”
“These inhumane acts, targeting innocent children, will not go unpunished,” Naqvi said in a statement, urging national unity in the face of such tragedies.
Meanwhile, Abdul Aleem Khan, the Federal Minister for Communications, condemned the attack as an act of “brutality and cowardice” against defenseless children. On social media, he stated, “This is a great tragedy, and the nation mourns. We stand with the affected families in this hour of grief.”
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### Conclusion
The Khuzdar school bus blast has deeply shaken the nation, with many calling for swift justice and stronger measures against terrorism. As investigations continue, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by Pakistan in combating terrorism and extremism.
