QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) – On Thursday, hundreds of mourners gathered in Pakistan to pay their respects at the funerals of three schoolgirls and two soldiers who tragically lost their lives in a suicide bombing targeting a school bus. The attack occurred in Khuzdar, a city located in the Balochistan province of Pakistan.
The victims included girls aged between 10 and 16, who were students at the Army Public School in Khuzdar. Local authorities reported that an additional 53 individuals were injured in the incident, with 39 of those being children. The suicide bomber drove a car into the school bus on Wednesday, leading to one of the deadliest attacks on schoolchildren in recent years.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, which stands out for its brutality and impact on civilian lives. Historically, the separatist group known as the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for many attacks in the southwestern province, but they, along with the Pakistani Taliban, typically refrain from admitting involvement in incidents that result in civilian or child casualties. This ongoing conflict has raised concerns about the safety of educational institutions in the region.
The BLA has been engaged in a long-running separatist insurgency in Balochistan, a movement that has intensified over the years. The United States designated the BLA as a terrorist organization in 2019, illustrating a heightened awareness of the group’s actions and motivations within the international community.
In the aftermath of the attack, both Pakistan's military and government officials directed blame towards rival India, alleging its involvement without providing any supporting evidence. This accusation follows an intense four-day conflict earlier this month between India and Pakistan, which ended with both countries agreeing to a ceasefire. Despite the serious nature of the allegations, India has not issued any comments regarding the incident or the accusations.
Amid the tragedy, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited a local hospital in Quetta, where he checked on children who were injured in the bombing. Accompanied by Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir, Sharif’s visit highlighted the national sorrow and outrage felt across the country in the wake of such a horrendous attack.
The community's deep mourning reflects the profound loss felt by families who have suffered due to ongoing violence, particularly against children. The incident has reignited discussions around the safety of students in conflict zones and the broader implications for peace and stability in Balochistan and beyond.
