PESHAWAR, Pakistan: In another terrorist attack which was reminiscent of APS incident, at least 22 persons were killed while more than 120 sustained injuries, 27 of them with critical wounds when terrorists targeted the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda on Wednesday morning.
Meanwhile, the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the Bacha Khan University attack.
On his Facebook page, Omar Mansoor of TTP said that four attacker were sent to the University.
Talking to media, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister Shaukat Yousafzai said that nearly 10 militants attacked the University; however, according to independent sources, the number of attackers were 16.
Shaukat Yousafzai said that attackers entered the University through the back door and first targeted the watchman. He said that 25 persons were martyred whereas 50 to 60 persons mostly students were injured as a result of firing and blasts by militants.
The University Vice Chancellor (VC) Dr Fazal Raheem confirmed that five persons including four security guards had been killed while the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Saeed Wazir confirmed the death of two female students, two security guards and watchman among 14 persons.
The VC more than 3000 students were present in the University when attack occurred. He said that 600 guests had also arrived in the University to attend a ‘Mushaira’ in connection with the 28th death anniversary of Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, more commonly known as Bacha Khan.
Dr Fazal Raheem said that two boys hostels and one girl hostel are also located within the premise of the University Campus.
But the sources claimed that at least 40 persons including Professor of Chemistry Department Dr Syed Hamid Hussain had been killed and their number was highly expected to rise. They also said that more than 120 persons mostly students and girls had sustained injuries, of whom 27 were in critical condition.
The injured persons were being shifted to various hospitals in Charsadda, Peshawar and Mardan including District Health Quarter (DHQ) Charsadda and Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar for medical treatment.
In a statement, the inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that the operation had been initiated against militants under aerial surveillance after a contingent of Pakistan army reached the University Campus.
The ISPR said that four terrorists had been killed by the armed-forces personnel. Two unexploded suicide jackets were also recovered near the dead bodies of terrorists.
Educational institutions closed in KPK
Meanwhile, all other educational institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have been closed in the wake of Bacha Khan University attack.
The District Nazim Charsadda has announced to close all educational institutions till January 31, 2016.
The security has also been beefed up at the Federal Captial educational institutions.
Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Narendra Modi condemn Bacha Khan University attack
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently in Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum, has condemned the attack on Bacha Khan University in Charsadda.
In a message, he directed law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to complete the operation against attackers as soon as possible.
The prime minister directed three federal ministers including Pervaiz Rasheed, Baligh-ur-Rehman and Abdul Qadir Baloch to reach Charsadda.
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan also condemned the Bacha Khan University attack.
“We stand with students and their parents in this hours of distress” Imran Khan said.
Imran Khan also decided to reach Charsadda to himself monitor the situation. The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervaiz Khattak cancelled his London tour and left for Pakistan from Dubai on the directives of Imran Khan.
The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also condemned the Bacha Khan University attack.
Strongly condemn the terror attack at Bacha Khan University in Pakistan. Condolences to families of the deceased. Prayers with the injured.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 20, 2016
COAS reaches Bacha Khan University
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif reached Bacha Khan University and got briefing about the ongoing operation against the attackers.
Federal, Punjab govts, ANP annoucnes mourning over attack
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab government announced to observe a one-day mourning over the Bacha Khan University attack.
National flag on all government buildings in the federal capital and Punjab will fly at half mast on Thursday.
The Awami National Party (ANP) also announced to observe 10-day mourning over the Bacha Khan University attack.
The ANP leader Asfandyar Wali said that there was information of attack on the educational institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but yet no security arrangements were made in this regard.
Names of martyrs of Bacha Khan University attack
Syed Kamal, Imran, Shahzad, Ahmed Kamal, Naimat, Haider Ali, Sajid, Ilyas, Fakhar Alam, Rehman Khan, Siddiq Ullah, Abdul Hameed and Syed Hamid Hussain.
