The death toll in the horrific Khuzdar school bus attack has risen, as another female student, Sahar Saleem, succumbed to her injuries on Thursday, bringing the number of child fatalities to four.
The tragic incident occurred earlier this week when a school bus carrying children was targeted in a terrorist attack in Khuzdar district, Balochistan. The attack initially claimed the lives of three children and two soldiers, leaving 53 others injured, including 39 schoolchildren — eight of whom remain in critical condition.
According to security sources, Sahar Saleem was among the critically injured students and could not survive despite medical efforts.
Read More: Double Death in Sialkot Linked to Honour Violence
Officials have alleged that the Khuzdar school bus attack was planned by India and executed through proxy networks in Balochistan, calling it part of a broader conspiracy to destabilize Pakistan.
“India has suffered defeat on various fronts and now resorts to targeting innocent children through cowardly tactics,” said a senior security source. Authorities stated that India’s involvement in terrorist activities in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been a consistent concern for national security.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir have strongly condemned the attack and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Read More: Punjab Schools on High Alert After Balochistan Attack: Advisory Issued
Security forces have since ramped up surveillance and patrols in the region, particularly around educational institutions, while a comprehensive investigation is underway.
The brutal targeting of schoolchildren has left the country in shock and grief. The public, political leaders, and civil society have all condemned the heinous act, demanding swift accountability.
The attack, which involved explosive material planted in a vehicle near the Zero Point on the Karachi-Quetta National Highway, occurred as the school bus passed by. It was detonated remotely, according to police officials.
