Unidentified gunmen entered in Bacha Khan University Charsadda on Wednesday morning
Latest Updates:
– 21 killed, over 30 injured
– Four militants killed during operation
– TTP claims responsibility for attack
CHARSADDA – A group of militants has stormed a university in Charsadda, Pakistan, killing at least 21 people and leaving dozens injured.
Terrorists entered the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda on Wednesday, according to university sources the terrorists entered the university from the direction of the guest house on site a little after 9:30 AM.
Gunmen opened fire on students and faculty members as they gathered at the school for a poetry recital to commemorate the death anniversary of the activist and leader whom the school is named after.
Chemistry Department professor Dr Hamid has been killed in the attack according to a teacher who spoke when he was rescued from the campus. The Bacha Khan University vice chancellor confirmed that four guards and one police officer were martyred.
A security official told that the death toll could rise to as high as 40 as the army cleared out student hostels and classrooms. A spokesman also said the dead included students, guards, policemen and at least one professor.
Intelligence sources said eight to 10 terrorists were inside the school, adding that they were between 18 and 25 years old, were wearing civilian clothes and had their faces covered.
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack on Bacha Khan University, TTP commander, Omar Mansoor, said that the attack was carried out by four attackers.
Emergency has been declared at all hospitals and schools have been closed in the area. Security personnel and army troops are carrying out an operation in the area.
A large number of worried parents have thronged to the hospital looking for their children. Sources said that 90 per cent of the buildings have been cleared on campus, adding that the operation is being carried out by Pakistan Army soldiers and the Police.
Former Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said that it is an international conspiracy and RAW and India are behind this. “After Pathankot attack, the Indian Minister said that Pakistan will face its consequences in the coming month.”
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a statement issued from Zurich said he is “deeply grieved” over the attack at the university. The prime minister is in Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum.
KP Governor Mehtab Abbasi confirmed around 2:45 pm that the operation has been completed. “There is a chance that local people are also involved in the attack,” he told media.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif Wednesday reached Bacha Khan University, Charsadda to review situation after a terrorist attack. The army chief will chair a high level meeting at the university, where he will be briefed about the details of militant attack and response of armed forces.
Bilawal Bhutto Zardari Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party has strongly condemned terrorists attack on Bacha Khan University in Charsadda and loss of innocent lives of faculty and students there. He expressed sympathies with those who lost their loved ones in the coward terrorist attack.
Defence Minister Khwaja Asif, speaking in the National Assembly, said 20 people had been killed in the attacks while security forces gunned down four terrorists. He said swift action from security forces during Charsadda university attack has averted big loss.
District Nazim Charsadda has announced closure of all education institutions across the district till January 31.
PM announces one-day mourning over Charsadda attack
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has announced one-day mourning in the wake of the Charsadda attack. The prime minister – who had a telephonic conversation with Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif following the attack – said that the operation against terrorists must continue with full-swing.