Explosive attack hits Pakistani military convoy in Khuzdar, Balochistan

A deadly explosion occurred earlier today near Zero Point in the Khuzdar district of Balochistan, targeting a military convoy. Reports indicate that the blast struck a bus carrying Pakistani army personnel as the convoy was departing from the cantonment area. The incident has resulted in multiple casualties and has heightened security concerns in the region.

The Pakistani military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), confirmed the attack and described it as a “coordinated terrorist act.” Initial accounts suggest that five individuals have lost their lives, with several others sustaining injuries, some critically. Emergency response teams have rushed to the scene, and security forces have cordoned off the area to initiate investigations and search operations.

According to local police sources, a small vehicle found near the site was also destroyed in the explosion. Preliminary investigations hint that explosives may have been planted in that vehicle, although it remains unclear whether the blast was remotely triggered or carried out by a suicide bomber. Helicopters have been deployed overhead as part of the ongoing search and rescue efforts.

The Pakistani military and local authorities have stated that the attack targeted a bus carrying school children; however, unverified online reports suggest that injured army personnel are being portrayed as schoolchildren to minimize military casualties. These claims have not been confirmed by independent sources, and the true nature of the victims remains under investigation.

The attack comes amid longstanding tensions in Balochistan, a resource-rich province that has long sought greater autonomy or independence. Baloch nationalist groups, which have been fighting for decades, claim that their natural wealth is exploited without benefit to local communities and that they face political, economic, and cultural marginalisation. Their struggle dates back to the region’s controversial accession to Pakistan in 1948.

Over the years, the Baloch nationalist movement has experienced waves of armed resistance, especially in response to state-led development projects like China’s China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Many Baloch nationalists perceive these projects as exploitative and unilaterally imposed, leading to increased militarisation and hostilities in the region. The conflict remains deeply entrenched and unresolved despite numerous military operations.

Human rights organizations have documented serious abuses in Balochistan, including enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and harsh crackdowns on dissent. The Pakistani government labels many Baloch groups as terrorists and accuses foreign powers, notably India, of supporting unrest to destabilize the region. These allegations, however, remain a point of contention and are part of the broader geopolitical tensions.

The recent attack near Khuzdar underscores the ongoing volatility and the persistent challenges faced by the Pakistani state in stabilizing Balochistan. The enduring nationalist movement continues to seek recognition, justice, and greater control over their resources. As violence persists, the region remains one of the most militarised and politically sensitive areas in South Asia, with little resolution in sight.