ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has vowed a strong and decisive response to the recent terrorist attack in Khuzdar, which targeted a school bus and resulted in the death of six children, with many others injured. The Interior Secretary, Captain (retd) Khurram Muhammad Agha, condemned the attack as a deliberate effort to sabotage regional peace and accused Fitna al-Hindustan of orchestrating the violence under India’s direction.
Attack Targets Schoolchildren, Threatening Regional Stability
Speaking at a joint press briefing with the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Captain Agha emphasized that the attack was not only an act of terrorism but also a direct assault on Pakistan’s educational values and traditions. The attack deliberately targeted innocent schoolchildren, which reflects the malicious intent to destabilize the region.
Captain Agha linked the attack to India’s ongoing subversive strategy in Balochistan, revealing that after the failure of Operation Sindoor, India instructed its proxies to intensify attacks in the province. “Our response will be decisive. They will not succeed,” he affirmed.
Evidence of State-Sponsored Terrorism
Lt Gen Chaudhry detailed Pakistan’s long-standing accusations against India for sponsoring terrorism within its borders, presenting evidence to international forums such as the United Nations in previous years. He pointed out that the recent attacks by Fitna al-Hindustan were carried out on direct Indian orders, underscoring that these militants do not represent the Baloch or Pakistani identity.
He highlighted several recent terror incidents, including attacks in Nushki, Tump Kech, Harnai, and Lasbela, where civilians and security personnel were killed. The Khuzdar bombing, which resulted in the death of six children and left many fighting for their lives, was the latest in this series of brutal acts.
India’s Role in Regional Destabilization
Lt Gen Chaudhry described the Fitna al-Hindustan group as “the terrorist and brutal face of India,” accusing it of targeting women and children and operating under Indian military directives. He revealed intercepted communications and forensic evidence from captured terrorists that link Indian intelligence directly to these attacks.
He criticized India’s media for glorifying acts of terrorism and questioned the moral stance of a country that celebrates such violence. “Do they think we will be intimidated by their cowardly actions? Absolutely not,” he stated firmly.
Propaganda and Recruitment Tactics Exposed
The Pakistani military spokesperson also revealed that many militants surrender after realizing India’s true involvement, with some admitting to receiving Indian funding. He accused Fitna al-Hindustan of resorting to extreme tactics, including blackmailing young girls into becoming suicide bombers, labeling them “Khawarij” who “will spare the idolaters but slaughter Muslims.”
Lt Gen Chaudhry pointed to thousands of social media accounts operated by Indian intelligence as part of a coordinated propaganda campaign aimed at destabilizing Pakistan.
Balochistan’s Development a Threat to Anti-State Elements
The surge in terrorist activity comes at a time when the development in Balochistan is accelerating rapidly. The military leadership sees this progress as a threat to anti-Pakistan forces, particularly Indian-backed militants. The federal government, led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is heavily invested in uplifting the province.
Lt Gen Chaudhry dismissed separatist slogans as misleading and emphasized that Baloch people are well represented in Pakistan’s national politics. He clarified that ethnic Baloch make up only 40% of the province’s population, with Pashtuns and other groups comprising the rest.
Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations and Regional Security
Addressing regional dynamics, the DG ISPR urged Afghanistan not to fall victim to India’s destabilizing tactics. Pakistan continues to maintain strong humanitarian ties with Afghanistan, hosting millions of refugees and ensuring uninterrupted transit trade, but remains vigilant about national security.
Indian Drone Attacks and Pakistani Restraint
The briefing also covered recent Indian drone attacks on religious sites like Nankana Sahib, which Pakistan’s forces successfully intercepted. Lt Gen Chaudhry reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to protecting places of worship and fostering peaceful religious relations, particularly with the Sikh community.
He concluded by stating that Pakistan has shown restraint during recent confrontations, dispelling any illusions of weakness: “India assumed there were internal divisions in Pakistan, but they miscalculated.”