A powerful explosion struck a school bus in Khuzdar, southwest Pakistan, killing six people and injuring at least 38 others. The attack occurred on Wednesday morning as the Army Public School vehicle picked up children for classes.
Officials said the blast killed four students, the driver, and his assistant, while nearly 46 students were inside the vehicle. Yasir Iqbal Dashti, a senior district administrator, confirmed the injuries and said authorities were airlifting critical cases to Quetta.
At a press conference, Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti said the bomb was likely a vehicle-borne IED planted on the roadside. He urged calm, calling the act cowardly and pledged to bring those responsible to justice through a full investigation.
Photos circulating online show a scorched bus with children’s backpacks and shoes scattered across the road after the deadly attacks. Pakistan’s military blamed Indian backed terrorist proxies for the bombing but did not provide evidence supporting its allegations.
Prime Minister Shebaz Sharif echoed the accusation, calling the incident an attack by terrorists under Indian patronage. India swiftly rejected the claims, labeling them baseless and accusing Pakistan of scapegoating India for domestic failures.
No group claimed responsibility, but officials suspect separatist militants from the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) may be involved. The BLA has previously attacked military targets and vowed to intensify efforts for an independent Balochistan.
UNICEF condemned the attack as horrific, saying children should never fear going to school or becoming targets of violence. The US Embassy in Islamabad also condemned the incident, calling it a brutal, unconscious attack and mourning the victims.
