On May 21, 2025, a devastating suicide blast targeted a school bus near Zero Point in Khuzdar, Balochistan, killing five people, including three children, and injuring several others, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and local authorities. The attack, which occurred in the morning, has prompted a robust investigation and widespread condemnation from Pakistani officials.
The explosion struck a bus carrying students from the Army Public School, resulting in the deaths of three children and two adults, with multiple children sustaining injuries. Khuzdar Deputy Commissioner Yasir Iqbal Dashti confirmed the casualties, noting that the blast occurred near Zero Point.
A deadly blast struck a school bus on the Quetta-Karachi highway near Khuzdar in Balochistan, killing four children and injuring several others. The bus, carrying about 40 students, was en route to a school located in a nearby army cantonment when it was targeted.
Khuzdar… pic.twitter.com/iA9GZDPkhi
— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) May 21, 2025The injured were rushed to Khuzdar’s Combined Military Hospital (CMH), with severe cases transferred to medical facilities in Quetta and Karachi. Preliminary findings indicate the attack was a suicide bombing, and police, Frontier Corps, and other law enforcement agencies are collecting evidence at the scene to support the ongoing investigation.
The ISPR described the attack as a “cowardly and ghastly” act, vowing to hunt down those responsible and bring them to justice. The Pakistan Armed Forces, backed by national support, are committed to addressing terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where recent security operations have targeted militant groups. On May 19, the ISPR reported the killing of 12 terrorists in separate engagements in these regions.
وفاقی وزیرداخلہ محسن نقوی کی خضدار زیرو پوائنٹ کے قریب بس میں دھماکے کی پرزور مذمت
وزیرداخلہ کا 4 بچوں کے جاں بحق ہونے کےواقعہ پر گہرے دکھ اور افسوس کا اظہار
جاں بحق بچوں کے لواحقین سے دلی ہمدردی و اظہار تعزیت
معصوم بچوں کو نشانہ بنانے والے درندےکسی رعایت کے مستحق نہیں۔
— Ministry of Interior GoP (@MOIofficialGoP) May 21, 2025Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind condemned the attack as a “cowardly and inhumane act.” At the same time, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called it a “heinous conspiracy” to destabilise Pakistan, expressing grief over the loss of four children and praying for the injured. Both officials emphasised national unity in countering such attacks.
Context of Balochistan’s Security Challenges
Balochistan has faced ongoing insurgent activity, with groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) claiming responsibility for numerous attacks in 2024, according to their annual report. The region’s complex security landscape includes separatist movements and militant operations, contributing to frequent violence. The Khuzdar blast is part of a series of recent incidents, underscoring the challenges faced by Pakistani security forces.
The Khuzdar school bus blast has deepened public grief and renewed calls for enhanced security measures to protect civilians, especially children. As the investigation progresses, authorities aim to identify the perpetrators and prevent future attacks. For the latest updates, visit the Pakistan Armed Forces’ official website or follow trusted news sources like Dawn or Al Jazeera.
