QUETTA: Two more students, Sheema Ibrahim and Muskan, succumbed to their injuries on Saturday, raising the death toll from the Khuzdar school bus suicide bombing to eight. The children had been undergoing treatment following the horrific terrorist attack earlier this week.
According to security sources, the attack claimed the lives of seven girls and one boy, including Sania Soomro, Hifza Kausar, Esha Saleem, Haider, Malaika, Sehr Saleem, Sheema Ibrahim, and Muskan.
The suicide bombing, which occurred on May 21 near Zero Point on the National Highway in Khuzdar, targeted a school bus carrying students. A teacher also lost their life in the attack, while 34 students were injured. The blast completely destroyed the bus and caused significant damage to nearby vehicles.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the attack was the work of Indian-backed terrorists. Security officials stated that the assault on the schoolchildren was orchestrated from Indian territory and held the Indian state and its proxies directly responsible for the carnage.
“The cowardly attack was planned on Indian soil,” said a senior security officer. “It was aimed at targeting Pakistan’s future — our children — and we will not forget nor forgive this brutality.”
Following the attack, all 38 injured children were transported to Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Khuzdar for emergency treatment, where several remain in critical condition.
In response to the incident, a First Information Report (FIR) was registered at the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) police station in Khuzdar. The FIR includes sections related to murder, attempted murder, and terrorism.
Public outrage has grown across Balochistan and the rest of Pakistan, with candlelight vigils and protests being held to honor the young victims. Social and political leaders have condemned the attack and demanded swift justice.
Authorities have vowed to bring those behind the attack to justice and increase security for educational institutions across the province.
The government and military leadership have reiterated their resolve to eliminate terrorism and safeguard the lives of innocent civilians, especially children, in the face of growing cross-border threats.
