A devastating bomb blast struck a bus carrying children to an army-run school in Khuzdar, south-western Pakistan, on Wednesday, killing at least five people — including three children — and injuring dozens more, according to local officials.
The explosion occurred as the vehicle was transporting students to class in the restive province of Balochistan, said Yasir Dashti, a local government official. The Pakistani army confirmed that three children and two adults were among the fatalities.
Health authorities have raised concerns that the death toll may rise, as many of the 38 injured children are in critical condition.
The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), a separatist militant group seeking independence for Balochistan, claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement, the group said it believed the bus was transporting military personnel.
Violence by insurgent groups has been escalating in Balochistan, a volatile region bordering Afghanistan and Iran. The province is also a strategic center for Chinese-funded infrastructure and energy projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
In March, BLA militants carried out a deadly attack during the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, hijacking a bus carrying soldiers and their families, resulting in numerous casualties.
The latest bombing has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in Balochistan and the growing threat posed by militant groups in the region.
