Article Summary
A suicide car bomber struck a school bus in southwestern Pakistan’s Balochistan province, killing five people, including at least three children, and wounding 38 others. The attack took place on the outskirts of the city of Khuzdar as the bus was transporting children to their military-run school. No group has claimed responsibility, but suspicion falls on ethnic Baloch separatists who frequently target security forces and civilians in the region. The attack is considered a cowardly and ghastly act, with the military alleging neighboring India’s involvement.
What This Means for You
- Be vigilant about security alerts and updates in Balochistan and other conflict zones.
- Express solidarity with the victims and their families, raising awareness of the ongoing issues in Balochistan province.
- Understand the complex geopolitical tensions between Pakistan and India, which can lead to such attacks.
- Advocate for the protection of children in conflict zones by supporting organizations working for their safety and well-being.
- Be cautious while traveling in the region and stay informed about potential risks and threats.
Original Post
Quetta: A suicide car bomber struck a school bus in southwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing five people, including at least three children, and wounding 38 others. It was the latest attack in the tense Balochistan province.
The province has been the scene of a long-running insurgency, with an array of separatist groups staging attacks, including the outlawed Balochistan Liberation Army, or BLA, designated as a terror group by the United States in 2019.
A local deputy commissioner, Yasir Iqbal, said the attack took place on the outskirts of the city of Khuzdar as the bus was transporting children to their military-run school there.
Troops quickly arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area while ambulances transported the victims to hospitals in the city. Local television stations aired footage of the badly damaged bus and scattered debris.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but suspicion is likely to fall on ethnic Baloch separatists, who frequently target security forces and civilians in the region.
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Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the attack and expressed deep sorrow over the children’s deaths. He called the perpetrators “beasts” who deserve no leniency, saying the enemy had committed an act of “sheer barbarism by targeting innocent children.”
The military also issued a statement, saying the bombing was “yet another cowardly and ghastly attack” allegedly planned by neighbouring India and carried out by “its proxies in Balochistan.”
There was no immediate comment from New Delhi.
Key Terms
- Balochistan province
- Ethnic Baloch separatists
- Pakistan-India geopolitical tensions
- Long-running insurgency
- School bus attack
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