The smallest coffins

On Thursday, Pakistan mourned the death of a 12-year-old student who succumbed to injuries sustained in Wednesday’s horrific terrorist assault on a school bus in Khuzdar carrying over 40 students to their educational institute. The blast martyred five individuals on the spot, including three innocent children, and left dozens injured – five of whom remain in critical condition. This cowardly act has drawn widespread condemnation from across the country and the international community. And rightly so. The deliberate targeting of children is a line crossed – a crime that reminds us of the darkest chapters in our history: the 2014 Army Public School (APS) attack in Peshawar. Like then, this atrocity is a direct assault on our future and must be treated as a declaration of war against the nation’s conscience. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Quetta following the attack, accompanied by COAS Field Marshal Asim Munir and senior cabinet members. The prime minister and the army chief have made it clear: the time has come for Pakistan to exhibit unwavering national resolve, similar to the unity shown during previous episodes of Indian aggression.

The government has stated that Indian-backed militants were behind the Khuzdar attack, which comes less than two weeks after both countries agreed to a ceasefire following their most serious conflict in decades. It is no secret that terrorist outfits such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), often operating in collusion with Indian intelligence, have worked relentlessly to destabilise Pakistan. From the hijacking of the Jaffar Express to repeated attacks on Chinese nationals and our security forces, their modus operandi has become increasingly ruthless. The Khuzdar attack is the next step of an outfit that is too far gone. Much like the TTP, the BLA has shown that it will target anyone to spread fear – even children. This is calculated terrorism and the message is clear: these groups, and their foreign backers, will go to any lengths to sow chaos.

Let us also be clear on another point: equating Baloch grievances with the actions of the BLA is both inaccurate and dangerous. The people of Balochistan have long-standing, legitimate concerns that must be addressed through political dialogue and inclusive governance. These grievances must not be confused with the violent extremism of militant outfits. In fact, the people of Balochistan have consistently condemned attacks on security forces, civilians and foreign allies such as China. It is the terrorists, and not the people, who are working to undermine Pakistan’s sovereignty. The international community must not turn a blind eye to this growing threat. The arrest of Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav from Balochistan in 2016 remains irrefutable evidence of India’s involvement in subversive activities within our borders. Many observers had warned, following Pakistan’s strong military response in the recent Indo-Pak conflict, that Indian-affiliated terrorist organisations would resort to more vicious acts. It is time for Pakistan’s diplomatic channels to act with urgency. The world must understand that what we face is not just terrorism; it is state-sponsored terror aimed at destabilising our country and the region. The lives lost in Khuzdar, especially those of innocent children, must not become just another statistic. They must serve as the turning point for a comprehensive national strategy – military, diplomatic, political – to uproot terrorism in all its forms.