A car bomb suicide attack in Pakistan‘s Balochistan province on Monday killed four children and injured 38. The bomber crashed a car packed with explosives into a school bus in the Khuzdar district. The students were traveling to school when they were blown up. Though no one has claimed responsibility, local officials blame Baloch separatists.
The fatal attack has rekindled tensions in a violence-torn area long beset by violence, economic marginalization, and political instability.
#Baluchistan 🚨
Worrying news coming in. A bus with children from APS Khuzdar targeted through VBIED (Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device). At least 4 school children martyred, several injured.
These terrorists and their handlers must be eliminated.
#APS #APSKhuzdar pic.twitter.com/9id2HyyRM2— Faeza Dawood (@FaezaDawood) May 21, 2025
Car Bomb Targets Innocent Children
Yasir Iqbal, Local Deputy Commissioner, confirmed that the blast hit a school bus in the unrest-plagued district of Khuzdar. Many children were injured and four children were killed in the attack. Most of the injured are students, and many of them are in critical condition.
Mohsin Naqvi, the Interior Minister of Pakistan, denounced the assault. He was saddened and described the loss of young lives as “heartbreaking.” Although a thorough investigation has been ordered by the government, the area is still engulfed in grief and fear.
Another Deadly Blast This Week
Only a few days had passed since another fatal explosion when this bombing occurred. In the Killa Abdullah district, a blast near Jabbar Market on Sunday left four people dead and twenty injured. The explosion caused fires in numerous stores and damaged neighboring buildings.
A number of buildings fell. Scenes of panic and chaos were described by locals. Investigations are still ongoing, but authorities suspect militants.
Balochistan’s Unrest Deepens
The most problematic province in Pakistan is still Balochistan. It lacks political voice and is economically marginalized despite having abundant natural resources. Organizations like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) frequently attack state forces in their quest for independence from Pakistan.
Residents of the area have long accused the Pakistani military of oppression and human rights abuses.
‘Republic of Balochistan’ Trends Online
Online calls for independence grew in the wake of the recent violence. “Republic of Balochistan” became popular on social media.
Through posts on platform X, activist Mir Yar Baloch proclaimed his country’s independence from Pakistan. He requested the UN to send peacekeepers and urged India to permit a Baloch embassy in New Delhi. Additionally, he demanded that the Pakistani army immediately withdraw from the area.
Support for Balochistan’s demand for autonomy is growing louder both inside and outside of Pakistan as the violence intensifies.
