Key Details of the Attack
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Casualties: At least 5 killed (3 children, 2 adults) and dozens injured after a blast targeted an Army Public School bus near Khuzdar’s Zero Point 1311.
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Method: Preliminary reports indicate a suicide bombing or vehicle-borne IED.
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Target: The bus carried ~40 students, many children of military personnel.
Accusations and Denials
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Pakistan’s Claims:
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The military (ISPR) and PM Shehbaz Sharif blamed India, calling it a “terrorist state” using proxies like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) .
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Officials cited recent intelligence alleging India’s NSA Ajit Doval planned destabilization in Balochistan .
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India’s Response: Rejected accusations as “baseless,” accusing Pakistan of deflecting from its own “terror epicenter” reputation.
Context & Escalating Tensions
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Balochistan Insurgency: Separatist groups (e.g., BLA) demand independence, often targeting security forces but rarely children—making this attack notable .
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India-Pakistan Relations: The attack follows a fragile ceasefire after recent cross-border strikes, fueled by mutual accusations of proxy warfare .
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Historical Parallels: Echoes the 2014 Peshawar school massacre (140+ children killed by TTP) .
International & Domestic Reactions
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Condemnations:
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UNICEF called it a “horrific” violation of children’s rights .
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U.S. Embassy denounced the “unconscionable” targeting of kids .
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Pakistani Leaders:
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PM Sharif vowed to “uproot terrorism,” while President Zardari pledged to expose “Indian-backed” attacks globally .
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HRCP criticized the state’s security failures and urged political dialogue in Balochistan .
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Ongoing Fallout
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Security Crackdown: Pakistan’s military intensified operations, killing 12 alleged “Indian proxy” militants days earlier .
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Investigation: Evidence collection underway, but no group has claimed responsibility yet .
The attack underscores Balochistan’s volatile security landscape and the broader India-Pakistan proxy conflict. While Pakistan frames it as Indian-sponsored terrorism, independent verification is lacking. The targeting of children has drawn global outrage, amplifying calls for accountability and renewed scrutiny of regional tensions.
