New Delhi: India has categorically rejected Pakistan’s allegations of involvement in a deadly school bus bombing in Balochistan’s Khuzdar district, which killed six people, including four children, on May 21, 2025. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the attack while dismissing Pakistan’s claims as a tactic to deflect from its own failures and reputation as a hub of terrorism.
Pakistan’s Unsubstantiated Allegations
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Pakistan’s military media wing, claimed the attack was “planned and orchestrated by the terrorist state of India” through its proxies, without providing evidence. Balochistan Chief Minister Sarfaraz Bugti reported that a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (IED) targeted the bus near Khuzdar’s Zero Point, injuring 38 others. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed the ISPR, alleging “Indian patronage” behind the attack. No group has claimed responsibility, though Balochistan has seen rising violence by separatist groups like the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA).
India’s Firm Rebuttal
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the accusations as “baseless,” stating, “India rejects the allegations made by Pakistan regarding Indian involvement in the Khuzdar incident. India condoles the loss of lives in all such incidents.” He criticized Pakistan’s pattern of blaming India to divert attention from its internal issues, adding, “This attempt to hoodwink the world is doomed to fail.” Jaiswal highlighted Pakistan’s reputation as the “global epicentre of terrorism,” pointing to its failure to address local insurgencies.
Balochistan’s Ongoing Insurgency
Balochistan, Pakistan’s resource-rich but sparsely populated province, has been plagued by a decades-long insurgency. Militant groups, including the BLA, demand greater autonomy and control over natural resources. The Khuzdar attack follows a March 2025 BLA assault on the Jaffar Express, which killed 21 passengers. Pakistan’s claims of Indian involvement in such incidents have been consistently rejected by India, with the MEA urging Islamabad to focus on its internal security challenges.
Context of India-Pakistan Tensions
The bombing occurred days after a ceasefire agreement on May 11, 2025, ended four days of clashes sparked by India’s Operation Sindoor. Launched on May 7, the operation targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled territories in response to the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which killed 26 tourists. Pakistan’s accusations come amid heightened tensions, with India maintaining that Pakistan harbors terrorist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Global Reactions and Implications
India’s rejection of Pakistan’s claims has been echoed on platforms like X, where posts condemned Pakistan’s allegations as politically motivated. The international community, including the US, which facilitated the recent ceasefire, has urged both nations to de-escalate. Analysts suggest Pakistan’s accusations aim to shift focus from its struggles with Baloch separatism and economic instability, but without evidence, such claims risk further isolating Islamabad diplomatically.
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