In a horrifying act of violence, at least five schoolchildren were killed and more than 40 others sustained injuries when a suicide blast targeted a school bus in Khuzdar on Wednesday morning. The attack occurred near Zero Point, a major junction on the Karachi-Quetta National Highway, and has plunged the region into mourning.
A senior police official on the scene stated that the nature of the explosion suggests it was a premeditated act targeting the bus specifically, as it carried dozens of schoolchildren en route to their educational institutions. “The explosive material was planted in a vehicle. As the school bus came close, it was detonated remotely,” the official said, noting that forensic teams have begun collecting evidence from the site to determine the type and quantity of explosives used.
Deputy Commissioner Khuzdar later confirmed that the explosion was a suicide attack. “We have lost five young lives today. Over 40 children are injured, many of them critically,” he said. All injured children were immediately shifted to the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) for emergency treatment. Medical teams have been put on high alert as the hospital copes with the influx of casualties. Reports suggest that several of the wounded are in serious condition, and the death toll may rise.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation. “There was a loud bang, and then screams everywhere. People rushed to help, pulling out injured children from the damaged bus,” said a shopkeeper near the site. Local residents and passersby assisted in the initial rescue efforts before emergency services arrived.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the region has a history of insurgent activity, and authorities are not ruling out the involvement of militant groups seeking to destabilize the area. Investigations are currently underway, with security forces sealing off the area and conducting search operations in surrounding neighborhoods.
The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from across the country. Political leaders, civil society groups, and human rights organizations have called for swift justice and increased protection for schoolchildren and public transport in conflict-prone regions like Balochistan.
“This is a cowardly attack on innocent children. We stand united against such acts of terrorism,” a statement from the Balochistan Chief Minister’s Office read. The Chief Minister has also announced compensation for the families of the deceased and injured and promised full state support for the investigation.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the security situation in Balochistan, where sporadic violence and targeted attacks have continued despite government efforts to restore stability. For now, Khuzdar mourns the loss of its children, as families wait for answers and accountability in the wake of this senseless tragedy.
