A deadly blast on Friday near the Girls High School in Mastung, Balochistan, claimed the lives of at least seven people, including five schoolchildren, a police officer, and a passer-by, officials confirmed to Geo News. The explosion, which targeted a police vehicle, left several others injured.
Dr. Nisar Ahmad Baloch, the superintendent at Mastung’s District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ), reported that two additional victims succumbed to their injuries in the hospital, bringing the death toll to seven. Over 30 injured individuals, mostly schoolchildren, are receiving medical care at DHQ and Nawab Hospital.
Miandad Umrani, Sub-Divisional Police Officer, stated that the explosion was caused by a remote-controlled device planted in a motorcycle. The young victims, aged 10 to 13, included both boys and girls, while four police officers were among the injured. The blast, which fully destroyed the targeted police vehicle, also damaged several nearby vehicles, including rickshaws.
In response, an emergency was declared across Mastung’s hospitals. A spokesperson from the provincial health department also stated that Quetta’s hospitals, including the Civil Hospital, BMC, and the Trauma Center, were on high alert. Nine severely injured individuals, including three in critical condition, were transferred to Quetta for further treatment.
Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy and condemned the attack, vowing justice for the victims. He called for unity among citizens to help thwart terrorist activities, stating, “The fight against terrorism is a shared responsibility.”
Acting President Yousuf Raza Gillani and National Assembly Speaker Sardar Ayaz voiced their solidarity with the victims’ families, condemning the targeting of innocent lives. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also labeled the incident as a heinous act, stressing that such violence against children is inexcusable.
This tragic event underscores the ongoing security challenges in Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Balochistan, recently plagued by a surge in terrorist incidents, accounts for a significant portion of the civilian and security force casualties in the country, according to the Centre for Research and Security Studies.
