A deadly bomb blast targeted a school bus near Zero Point in Khuzdar, Balochistan, on the morning of May 21, 2025.
According to Khuzdar’s Deputy Commissioner, the bus — carrying around 40 people, mostly children — was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) while heading toward the Army Public School (APS). The attack killed five people and injured more than 30 others, several of whom remain in critical condition. The injured were initially taken to Khuzdar’s District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, and those critically wounded were later shifted to Quetta for advanced medical treatment.
Security forces and bomb disposal squads launched an investigation immediately after the attack. While the motive remains under investigation, a high-level security alert has been issued, and authorities are searching for those responsible. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the bombing.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti condemned the attack strongly, calling it a cowardly act against innocent children. He announced three days of mourning in the province and vowed that the culprits would face justice. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari also expressed deep sorrow, condemned the attack, and extended condolences to the bereaved families.
The horrifying attack has sent shockwaves across the country. Many citizens have drawn heartbreaking comparisons to the 2014 Army Public School (APS) tragedy in Peshawar, which left a deep scar on the national conscience. Once again, the people of Pakistan are grieving and pleading that such brutality must never be allowed to repeat — not against children, not against anyone.
As the country mourns the loss of innocent lives, there is growing pressure on authorities to ensure safety for children and civilians in conflict-prone areas.
This is a developing story.
Sources: Dawn, Geo News, and Al Jazeera.
