In the bloodiest terror attack in Pakistan in recent years, at least 160 people, mostly children, were on Tuesday killed by heavily-armed Taliban suicide bombers who stormed an army-run school in Peshawar and took several hostages, a throwback to the 2004 Beslan school siege by Chechen rebels. Among the dead are 132 school children, 11 teachers and 9 terrorists.
A group of 9 Arabic-speaking attackers, wearing paramilitary Frontier Corps uniforms, entered the Army Public School on Warsak Road around 10.30 am (local time) and started massacre of innocents, spraying bullets indiscriminately, going from classroom-to-classroom. They also took several hostages using them as human shield. The death toll in the attack has reached 160 with a majority of them being students, official sources said. At least 122 others have been injured.
They said that so far eight militants have died - four of them blew themselves up while others were shot dead by security forces. Twenty teachers, including the principal, and 34 students were hostages by the militants during the operation. More than eight hours after militants entered the school compound, the military declared the operation to flush them out over, and said that all the insurgents had been killed.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has claimed responsibility for the attack, one of the worst in recent years. The Taliban spokesman claimed that its 6 suicide bombers attacked army school, saying it was a revenge for the army's operation against militants in the North Waziristan tribal area close to Peshawar. "We want them to feel our pain," the spokesman said.
World leaders united in condemning the attack as Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif termed it a "national tragedy" and chaired a security meeting in Peshawar where he was briefed about the attack and operation. Sharif reiterated that military operation 'Zarb-e-azab' to flush out terrorists from the country's tribal belt will continue. “It's a sheer act of cowardice...the country should unite to combat terrorism," he added.
Army Chief General Raheel Sharif also reached Peshawar to monitor the situation. In one of the most gruesome attacks in recent years against children anywhere in the world, the militants went from classroom-to-classroom shooting indiscriminately at the shocked students, eyewitnesses said.
One rescued student told reporters that the attackers had long beards and they were wearing 'shalwar kamiz'. He said they were speaking Arabic and looked like foreigners. About 500 students and teachers were believed to be inside the school when the attack started. Mushtaq Ghani, provincial information minister, said the militants entered through a graveyard which is adjacent to the school. The school is close to Saint Mary High School which has also been under threat since the last couple of days.
A heavy contingent of police and security forces have blocked the roads leading to the school, taking control of the entire area. The army had launched the massive military operation 'Zarb-e-Azb' in June following a brazen militant attack on Karachi's international airport and the failure of peace talks between the government and the Taliban negotiators. The military has said more than 1,300 militants have been killed during the operation in North Waziristan and adjacent tribal region and it will continue till militancy was completely wiped out of Pakistan.
Opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan, whose party rules Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, termed the attack as an act of "barbarism". In the wake of the attack, Khan postponed his plan to shut down the entire country that was planned for December 18. Shagufta, who lives near the school said she heard two explosions, a smaller one followed by a huge bang. A student who identified himself as Shuja said they were taking examination when firing started.
They were told by the teacher to lie down on the floor. He said they remained on floor for about one hour when army soldiers came and told them to go out. Several students escaped through the back gate. One of students who escaped said that fourth period was in progress when they heard firing. "First we didn't know what has happened. But late an army officer told us to escape through back gate," he said.
Defence minister Khawaja Asif said in a statement, "We are deeply fragmented today as a nation. For the sake of the children martyred today and our children fighting the enemy for our existence, we must have one message for the enemy (that) we shall overcome inshallah and rid our land of this scourge. Zarb-e-Azb to continue with full force and (our) Armed forces remain undeterred."
Malala heartbroken
Malala 'heartbroken': Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai, who was shot in the head by the Taliban in 2012, said she was "heartbroken" by "the senseless and cold blooded" killing of scores of children by Taliban militants. "I condemn these atrocious and cowardly acts and stand united with the government and armed forces of Pakistan whose efforts so far to address this horrific event are commendable." Seventeen-year-old Malala, who now lives in Britain, became a global icon after she was shot and nearly killed by the Taliban in her native Pakistan in October 2012 for insisting that girls had a right to an education.
Modi condemns attack
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the chorus of Indian statements with posts on Twitter which said, “strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack at a school in Peshawar”. “It is a senseless act of unspeakable brutality that has claimed lives of the most innocent of human beings - young children in their school,” Modi said. In his Twitter post, home minister Rajnath Singh described the school attack as “dastardly & inhuman” that exposed the “real face of terrorism.” India's foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said in a statement, “The Government of India strongly condemns this barbaric crime against humanity. Our prayers are with the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives or were injured in this barbaric incident. We hope the almighty gives them the courage and fortitude to bear their irreparable loss. There never has been, nor will there ever be, a justification for terrorism.” The Congress, too, denounced the attack. “This barbaric act has caused universal outrage and painfully underscores the threat posed by organized terrorist groups to humankind,” Congress President Sonia Gandhi was quoted as saying in a statement.
British leaders condemn Pak killings
Lord Popat: This is an absolute tragedy; I feel so incredibly sad for those children and my heart goes out to those families who have suffered. There is never a justification for attacking a school and the people responsible are barbaric; the very worst of mankind.
Lord Dholakia: Our prayers go to the friends and families of children and others killed by insurgents in a school in Peshawar. This is an atrocity of the worst kind. Irrespective of what political views we hold, terrorism of this kind cannot be tolerated. This is a national tragedy for Pakistan but all democratic nations of the world must condemn such actions. Children have a right to education and a right to enjoy their childhood. Over 130 families have lost their loved ones. If their is a grain of humanity amongst the insurgents then they should stop the massacre of the innocent. Children are the future of all nations. We must, irrespective of our values and beliefs, stand together with those who have lost their loved ones.
Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP: This attack on school children in Pakistan is one of the most reprehensible crimes we could have possibly imagined. At least 126 people, most of them children, have been killed. The Taliban, who are responsible, are one of the vilest groups on earth, and this attack should reinforce our determination to target this organisation and other extremist groups like it. This is an appalling tragedy, and our thoughts are with victims and families at this most difficult time.
Philip Hammond, British Foreign Secretary: I am appalled by news of a terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar and the tragic loss of life. I send my deepest sympathy to the victims and their families.Nothing can justify such an horrific attack on children going to school. The UK continues to stand shoulder to shoulder with the government and people of Pakistan in the fight against terrorism and extremism.
Sadiq Khan MP, Shadow Justice Secretary: As the son of Pakistani immigrants, with family in Pakistan, and as a father, I am deeply disturbed by reports the brutal murder of innocent children and their teachers in Peshawar.
Sadly we are again reminded of the tragic battles fought by children simply for going to school. As a country it is important that we stand together with the Pakistani government - to condemn this attack, and defend children’s right to education all over the world. My thoughts are with all the families of the children lost today.
