Why it matters:
The attack is a stark reminder of the deteriorating security situation in Pakistan's Balochistan, where civilians, especially children, are increasingly caught in the crossfire of a long-running insurgency.
The bombing also raises new concerns over the safety of daily life in regions vulnerable to separatist violence.
The big picture:
Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest but least developed province, has been plagued by decades of separatist unrest. Ethnic Baloch insurgents, particularly Balochistan separatist groups, have frequently targeted government forces, infrastructure, and civilians.
The group was designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. in 2019 and has intensified its campaign in recent months.
What he's saying:
Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the bombing, calling it 'sheer barbarism' and branding the perpetrators as 'beasts'.
He emphasized that such acts of terror, especially those targeting innocent children, deserve no mercy.
Naqvi vowed justice, saying, 'We will not let these enemies of humanity go unpunished.'
Key points:
- A suicide bomber struck a school bus in Khuzdar, Balochistan, killing four children and injuring 38 others.
- The attack occurred during the morning commute as the bus took children to school.
- No group has claimed responsibility, but suspicion falls on the Baloch group.
- The BLA (Baluchistan Separatist Army) has a record of similar attacks, including a deadly train assault in March that killed 33 people.
- Just days before, another car bomb killed four near a market in Qillah Abdullah, in Balochistan.
Go deeper:
This is the latest security situation in a wave of attacks that highlight Pakistan’s ongoing struggle with internal militancy, particularly in border provinces like Balochistan.
With Pakistan accusing neighboring India of backing separatist groups like the BLA, a charge India denies, the regional implications of these attacks are significant.
As violence escalates, pressure mounts on Islamabad to restore order and protect its most vulnerable citizens.
Hossein Vaez
