Pakistan bus bomb targets children

More than a dozen children of paramilitary soldiers injured as a remote controlled device hits their school bus. Last Modified: 04 Jan 2011 09:15 GMT

A remote controlled bomb has ripped through a bus carrying children of paramilitary soldiers in southwest Pakistan, according to police. In Tuesday's attack, fifteen children, aged eight to 12 years, were wounded but most of them were discharged after receiving first aid at a hospital. But five of them were critically injured. Abdul Latif, area police chief said that the attack occurred in Turbat, 435 miles (700 kilometres) from Quetta, the capital of Baluchistan province. According to police sources, the van carrying at least 30 kids, was attacked near Ata Shad Degree College. Gunshots rang up following the attack, Pakistan's Geo News reported. The bus was being escorted by two other military vehicles but neither of these were hit. Security personnel put a cordon around the entire blast site. No one has claimed responsibility for the attack. Baluch nationalist groups are active in Turbat. They have been part of a low-level insurgency that seeks more autonomy for Baluchistan province and a greater share of the money from its natural resources.

Source: Agencies