Pakistan Mourns as India’s Alleged Support for Terrorism Targets Children in Balochistan
As a Pakistani, my heart aches for the innocent lives lost in the horrific suicide bombing that targeted a school bus in Khuzdar, Balochistan, on May 21, 2025. This heinous act, which claimed at least 5 lives, including 3 children, and injured dozens more, mostly children, is a stark reminder of the terrorism that threatens our nation’s peace. Pakistani authorities have accused India of orchestrating this attack through proxies like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), a claim that resonates deeply with our people who have long suffered from external interference. This article, examines the attack, Pakistan’s response, allegations of Indian media engaging with separatists, and the broader geopolitical and humanitarian implications.
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The Khuzdar School Bus Attack: A National Tragedy
On the morning of May 21, 2025, a suicide bomber detonated a vehicle-borne explosive device near a school bus in Khuzdar district, approximately 250 km south of Quetta. The bus, carrying over 40 students to a military-run Army Public School, was completely destroyed. The attack resulted in significant casualties:
- Casualties: Reports indicate 5 to 6 deaths, including 3 to 4 children, the bus driver, and a helper, with 38 to 53 others wounded, mostly children, many in critical condition (CNN, Reuters).
- Target: The bus was transporting children of military personnel, suggesting a deliberate attack on Pakistan’s security forces and their families.
- Scene: Images shared on social media showed the charred wreckage of the bus, with children’s backpacks scattered around, a heartbreaking testament to the violence (BBC).
No group has claimed responsibility, but Pakistani officials suspect the BLA, a separatist group designated as a terrorist organization by the US and EU, due to its history of targeting military and civilian infrastructure.
| Incident Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Khuzdar district, Balochistan, Pakistan |
| Date | May 21, 2025 |
| Type of Attack | Suicide bombing with a vehicle-borne explosive device |
| Target | School bus carrying over 40 students to a military-run school |
| Casualties | 5–6 dead (3–4 children, driver, helper), 38–53 wounded (mostly children) |
| Suspected Group | Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), though no claim of responsibility |
| Pakistan’s Claim | India allegedly sponsored the attack via proxies |
Pakistan’s Response: Condemning India’s Alleged Role
Pakistan’s leadership has responded with outrage and resolve. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack as “a heinous act of terrorism” and directly accused India, stating, “We have clear evidence that India is sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan through its proxies”. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi called the attackers “beasts who target children,” emphasizing their intent to destabilize Pakistan. The military’s media wing vowed to hunt down the “planners, abettors, and executors of this cowardly Indian-sponsored attack”.
These accusations reflect Pakistan’s long-standing concerns about India’s alleged support for terrorism in Balochistan, particularly targeting vulnerable populations like children to sow fear and chaos. While specific evidence linking India to this attack has not been publicly disclosed, the Pakistani government’s stance is firm, rooted in historical precedents and ongoing investigations.
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Historical Context: India’s Alleged Interference
Pakistan has repeatedly accused India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) of supporting terrorist groups in Balochistan to undermine the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and destabilize the region. Key incidents cited include:
- Kulbhushan Yadav’s Arrest (2016): Pakistan arrested Yadav, an Indian national, alleging he was a RAW agent orchestrating espionage and sabotage. His confession linked him to Baloch insurgents, though India claimed he was a retired officer kidnapped from Iran.
- Surrendered Militant Testimony (2023): Sarfraz Ahmed Bungulzai, a Baloch National Army commander, surrendered and alleged Indian support for terrorist activities, including a 2022 helicopter crash that killed six Pakistani army officials.
- CPEC Attacks: The BLA has targeted Chinese interests, such as the 2022 Karachi University bombing, which Pakistan claims was backed by India to disrupt CPEC.
These allegations, while serious, often rely on confessions or reports from Pakistani sources, and independent verification is limited, making the issue contentious. India denies these claims, accusing Pakistan of fostering militancy elsewhere, which fuels a cycle of mutual blame.
Separatist Statements and Media Coverage
Allegations that Indian media interview Baloch separatists to amplify their anti-Pakistan narrative are widespread in Pakistan but lack verified evidence. Direct interviews with groups like the BLA are rare due to their clandestine nature and terrorist designation by multiple countries. Instead, separatist statements are often disseminated through press releases or social media platforms like X. For instance, a 2025 BLA statement criticized Pakistan’s “deceptive” peace talks and urged international recognition of Pakistan as a terrorist state. Pakistani authorities view such coverage by foreign media as legitimizing terrorism, further straining regional stability.
Public Sentiment: A Nation in Mourning
The attack has ignited fury across Pakistan, with citizens expressing grief and anger on X. Posts like those from @CapD323 and @summandar01 blame India and the BLA, stating, “Terrorists attack Balochistan school bus. India’s new move has re-initiated terrorist tactics in Pakistan. BLA attacks Army Public School bus in Khuzdar, 5 children including driver martyred” (X post). Another user, @DI313_, wrote, “In Khuzdar district of Balochistan, Indian proxies BLA terrorists carried out an attack on an Army Public School bus while it was taking children to school in the morning. In the blast, 5 children were martyred and 38 injured” (X post). These sentiments reflect the deep conviction among Pakistanis that India is orchestrating violence to weaken our nation.
Humanitarian Crisis: Children as Targets
The targeting of children in the Khuzdar attack is a grave humanitarian concern. UNICEF condemned the “horrific” attack, stating, “Children must never be targets of violence; going to school should not be dangerous” (UN News). Balochistan’s conflict has long impacted civilians, with children facing disrupted education, trauma, and loss of life. Other recent incidents, such as the killing of a 7-year-old girl in Khudabadan and a bombing that killed a 3-month-old baby, underscore the escalating violence against the most vulnerable (X post). As Pakistanis, we mourn these losses and demand protection for our children.
Geopolitical Stakes: Balochistan’s Strategic Importance
Balochistan’s vast resources and role in CPEC make it a critical region, targeted by separatists and, allegedly, foreign powers. Pakistan accuses India of supporting groups like the BLA to disrupt CPEC, a cornerstone of China’s Belt and Road Initiative. The mutual accusations Pakistan alleging Indian interference, India claiming Pakistan supports militancy in Kashmir create a volatile environment where civilians suffer. The school bus attack has heightened these tensions, with Pakistan vowing to counter such threats to its sovereignty.
Conclusion
The May 21, 2025, school bus attack in Khuzdar is a tragic blow to Pakistan, claiming innocent lives and exposing the brutality of terrorism. As Pakistanis, we stand united in condemning this act and India’s alleged role in supporting groups like the BLA, though evidence remains contested. The loss of children in this attack is a call to action to protect our future generations and pursue justice against those who target them. The international community must recognize the gravity of this crisis and support Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism and restore peace in Baluchistan.
