Khuzdar School Bus Attack: Public Outrage and Speculation on X
On May 21, 2025, a devastating attack targeted a school bus in Khuzdar, Balochistan, Pakistan, killing at least five people, including three to four children, a bus driver, and a security guard, and injuring up to 43 others, including 18 schoolgirls and 12 boys. The explosion, suspected to be a suicide bombing or a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED), occurred around 07:40 local time near Zero Point, as the bus, carrying approximately 40 students to an Army Public School, was attacked on the outskirts of Khuzdar.
Local official Yasir Iqbal Dashti reported that the blast was likely caused by a vehicle-borne IED, and security forces have cordoned off the area to investigate. Pakistan’s military, through the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), condemned the attack, alleging it was “planned and orchestrated by the terrorist state of India and executed by its proxies in Balochistan.” High-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, and President Asif Zardari, denounced the attack as a “cowardly” act and a human rights violation, with some explicitly pointing to Indian involvement. No group has officially claimed responsibility, and India has not responded to these allegations.
Reactions on X
The attack has sparked intense reactions on X, where users are expressing grief, anger, and speculation. Posts describe the incident as “extremely disturbing,” with calls for swift action by security forces to eliminate groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which some users allege are backed by India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). One user, @existqueen, wrote, “The brutal terrorist attack in Khuzdar is extremely disturbing. Security forces will have to act quickly. The agents of RAW must be eliminated as soon as possible.” Others, like @ZahidGishkori, shared early reports confirming the deaths of three children and two adults, noting the severe injuries to multiple children.
However, not all sentiments align with the official narrative. Some X users, such as @sushantsareen, have labeled the attack a “false flag operation,” questioning how militants could breach multiple security layers in a heavily guarded region like Khuzdar, hundreds of kilometers from any border. “This is Pakistan Army trying to build a case to reconquer Balochistan after the defeat against India,” one post claimed, drawing parallels to past incidents like the Army Public School attack in Peshawar. Others noted that pro-BLA accounts initially celebrated the attack but later backtracked, calling it a false flag when reports confirmed children were among the victims.
Context of Regional Tensions
The Khuzdar attack comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan, following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 tourists. India’s subsequent military strikes on Pakistani targets, dubbed Operation Sindoor, and Pakistan’s retaliatory actions escalated into a brief but intense conflict, halted by a ceasefire on May 10. Pakistan’s accusations of Indian involvement in the Khuzdar attack echo earlier claims, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri alleging that terrorists in the Kashmir attack communicated with “masterminds in Pakistan.” These mutual accusations have fueled speculation on X about the motives behind the Khuzdar bombing, with some users viewing it as a continuation of the India-Pakistan proxy conflict.
Ongoing Investigations
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti stated that critically injured children are being airlifted to Quetta for treatment, and investigations are ongoing to confirm the nature of the attack. The lack of a claim of responsibility has left room for speculation, with X users debating whether the attack was orchestrated by external actors, insurgent groups, or internal elements. The Balochistan government has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice, while security forces continue to collect evidence at the site.
Public Sentiment and Calls for Action
The targeting of schoolchildren has amplified outrage on X, with users describing the attackers as “beasts” and demanding accountability. The emotional toll is evident in posts mourning the loss of young lives and calling for stronger measures against terrorism. As investigations proceed, the discourse on X reflects a mix of grief, suspicion, and calls for decisive action, underscoring the complex interplay of regional politics and security challenges in Balochistan.
