5 Killed in Suicide Bombing in Pakistan

A devastating suicide bombing in Pakistan’s southwestern Balochistan province has claimed the lives of five individuals, including at least three schoolchildren, according to the Pakistani military.

The attack struck a military-operated school bus in the Khuzdar district on Monday, sparking national outrage and international condemnation.

Local authorities confirmed that the bus was transporting children of military personnel to a school located within an army camp.

Around 40 students were onboard at the time of the explosion. Several children were injured, with some reported in critical condition, raising fears that the death toll may rise.

Initial investigations suggest that the explosion was a suicide bombing. Television footage showed harrowing images of three schoolgirls from middle and high school among the victims.

Yasir Iqbal, an official overseeing the Khuzdar district, noted that while the exact nature of the attack is still being investigated, early findings strongly indicate a deliberate suicide assault.

The Pakistani army quickly condemned the bombing and vowed to bring those responsible to justice. In a statement from its media wing, the military promised that the planners, facilitators, and perpetrators of the attack would be pursued and held accountable.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack, announcing an emergency visit to Balochistan to oversee investigations. His office described the bombing as a heinous act carried out by armed militants. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the children, calling the attackers monsters undeserving of any mercy.

In a separate development, the Pakistani government levelled accusations against India, claiming New Delhi's involvement in the incident—though no concrete evidence has yet been provided to support the claim. India’s Ministry of External Affairs swiftly rejected the allegations. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal responded by stating that Pakistan routinely blames India to deflect attention from its internal issues.

The bombing has drawn sharp condemnation from international bodies. The US Embassy in Pakistan and UNICEF both expressed their outrage via social media.

The US statement emphasised that the killing of innocent children is beyond comprehension and reiterated that no child should ever fear going to school. UNICEF echoed this sentiment, underscoring the need for safe education environments across the region.