Nuclear Threats Escalate Tensions Between India and Pakistan

Abdul Latif, a prominent Baloch journalist, was shot dead on May 24 in Awaran, Balochistan, Pakistan, by militants linked to the Pakistan Army. Reports indicate that Latif was targeted in front of his wife and children while he was known for documenting military abuses and disappearances in the region, according to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee. Latif worked for Daily Intikhab and Aaj News, earning respect for his commitment to Balochistan's plight. His reporting reportedly drew the ire of state authorities, leading to fears that his assassination is part of a broader pattern of violence against journalists and activists in the area. Rights organizations cite a "kill and dump" campaign targeting Baloch intellectuals. In February 2025, Latif's family suffered a personal tragedy when several relatives were allegedly abducted and killed, with no acknowledgment from authorities. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee has called for international investigation, citing the killings as "crimes against humanity." UN experts recently urged Pakistan to cease repression against Baloch rights advocates.

A suicide car bomb attack on a school bus in Balochistan, Pakistan, on May 21, 2025, resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including three children. Nearly 40 others were injured in the incident, which occurred in the Khuzdar district, as reported by the Interior Ministry. Authorities suspect a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device was used in the attack. Pakistan's army condemned the incident, labeling it "cowardly" and "inhuman," while Khuzdar Deputy Commissioner Yasir Iqbal confirmed the casualties. Initial reports mischaracterized the number of child fatalities. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences and called for a prompt investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described the attackers as "beasts," promising zero tolerance against such acts. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but it is presumed that separatist factions, such as the Balochistan Liberation Army, may be involved. The region has faced ongoing violence amid years of separatist insurgency, with recent similar attacks raising concerns about stability.

A tragic incident in Pakistan's Balochistan province resulted in the deaths of four children when a bomb exploded on an army school bus. The attack occurred in Khuzdar district as the bus, carrying approximately 40 students, was en route to an army-run school, according to Yasir Iqbal, the district administrator. Several other students sustained injuries in the explosion, which has shocked the local community. Balochistan, the largest province in Pakistan by area, has faced chronic instability due to a long-running insurgency and ongoing conflict, hindering development in the region, which hosts significant mining projects and is home to around 15 million people. The surge of violence in the area has raised concerns about security, particularly in institutions serving military families. Government officials have vowed to investigate the attack and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice. The incident marks another grim chapter in an ongoing struggle against violence in Pakistan.