Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, has strongly condemned the recent attack on a school bus in Balochistan and called on Pakistani officials to refrain from levelling baseless accusations against the group.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Mujahid described the attack in Khuzdar district, which claimed the lives of several children, as unjustifiable, stating that violence against civilians, especially children, is inexcusable under any circumstances.
Responding to suggestions from some Pakistani authorities that Afghan-based groups may have been involved, Mujahid rejected the claims as unfounded and lacking evidence. “There is no proof indicating that these attacks were planned or executed from Afghan soil,” he stated.
The bombing targeted a bus carrying students from a military-run school, killing at least six children and injuring 43 others.
In the wake of the attack, Pakistani authorities initially pointed fingers at India. The Pakistani military claimed the bombing was orchestrated and directed by Indian intelligence, and executed through proxy agents operating in Balochistan.
According to the military’s statement, India is seeking to destabilise Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces following setbacks in recent confrontations. The statement also referenced previous incidents, including the attack on the Jaffar Express train and the kidnapping of Pakistani soldiers by Baloch separatists, as part of what it alleged to be a coordinated campaign involving both Indian and Afghan actors.
The Taliban has urged Pakistan to approach such incidents with restraint and to avoid inflaming tensions through unsubstantiated allegations.
