On May 21, 2025, a suicide car bombing targeted a school bus in the Khuzdar district of Balochistan, southwestern Pakistan. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals, including three children, and left 38 others injured, many critically. The bus was en route to the Army Public School, carrying approximately 40 students.
Details of the Attack
The explosion occurred around 7:40 a.m. local time, as the school bus approached the outskirts of Khuzdar. Initial reports indicated that four children and two adults, including the bus driver and a security guard, were killed in the blast. The injured were swiftly transported to hospitals in Khuzdar and Quetta for medical treatment.
Reactions and Investigations
Pakistani authorities condemned the attack, with Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi labeling the perpetrators as “beasts” and describing the act as “sheer barbarism.” The military issued a statement condemning the bombing as a “cowardly and ghastly attack”.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice. The government has initiated an investigation to determine the individuals or groups responsible for the attack.
Suspected Perpetrators
While no group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, suspicion has fallen on ethnic Baloch separatist groups, such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which have been involved in previous attacks in the region. The BLA has denied involvement in this incident.
International Condemnation
The United States Embassy in Islamabad condemned the attack, describing it as a “brutal and unconscionable act.” UNICEF also expressed its horror, stating that “the murder of innocent children is beyond comprehension”.
Conclusion
This tragic incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in Balochistan and the vulnerability of educational institutions to militant attacks. The Pakistani government has pledged to intensify efforts to ensure the safety of students and prevent such attacks in the future.
