Bomb blast near school in Mastung kills five, including children

The blast hit a school children's van as well as a police vehicle, according to security officials.

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A bomb blast near a school in Balochistan's Mastung district, killed five people, including three children and a police officer, according to security officials.

The explosion occurred near the school as a van carrying schoolchildren and a police vehicle passed through the area, officials said.

Thirteen people were injured, most of them children, and were transported to nearby hospitals, including DHQ and Ghaus Bakhsh Raisani Hospital, Express News reported.

Balochistan’s Health Minister Bakht Mohammad Kakar and Health Secretary Mujeeb ur Rahman declared a state of emergency at Civil Hospital, BMC Hospital, and the Trauma Centre in Quetta to treat the victims.

The provincial government spokesperson has requested a report on the incident from the Balochistan Home Department.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti condemned the bombing, expressing condolences to the families of the police officer and the children who lost their lives. “Targeting innocent children is a deeply inhumane act,” he said, calling the attack reprehensible.

Bomb disposal teams and district administration authorities arrived at the scene immediately after the explosion to secure the area.

Previously, Mastung saw shooting in the months of July and September.

In July, at least 14 people were injured in a shooting in the Mastung district. The incident occurred near Nawab Hotel, where supporters of the Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC) clashed with security forces.

In September, senior journalist Nisar Lehri was shot dead in the GulKand area of Mastung, police confirmed.

Lehri, who was also the Press Club secretary, was reportedly killed due to a land dispute, according to local authorities.

The president of the Press Club, Faiz Durani, has demanded the immediate arrest of those responsible. SP Mastung stated that raids are underway to apprehend the suspects.