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| Edited By: DNA Web Team |Source: DNA webdesk |Updated: Jan 20, 2016, 09:16 PM IST
At least 20 people were killed and about 50 others injured on Wednesday after heavily-armed militants stormed a prestigious university and opened indiscriminate fire on students and teachers in Pakistan's restive northwest Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province.
The gunmen entered the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda district of the province, some 50 kms southwest of Peshawar, and opened fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels, media reports said.
Blasts and heavy gunfire were heard from inside the University campus.
Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Party leader and provincial lawmaker Shaukat Yousafzai said that 25 people, including a professor, were killed and around 50 others injured in the terrorist attack on the University this morning.
Key updates:
* Death toll claims run from 15 - 60 killed
* 4 attackers killed: Military
* Multiple blasts heard along with continuous heavy gunfire.
* Pakistan PM Nawaz Sharif condemns attack: Says sacrifices won't go in vain. "Those who kill innocent students and civilians have no religion.".
* According to Express Tribune: 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.
* Although, the Pakistani Taliban spokesman Muhammad Khorasani has denied any involvement. The reason for the conflicting statements was not immediately clear.
NSUI workers hold candle light vigil in Delhi over #BachaKhanUniversity terror attack
NSUI workers hold candle light vigil in Delhi over #BachaKhanUniversity terror attack. pic.twitter.com/vAUf5JmFuh
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 20, 2016
Pakistani Taliban spokesman denies movement is behind deadly university attack
The official spokesman for the Pakistani Taliban said on Wednesday that the Islamist movement was not behind the deadly attack on a university that killed at least 19 people.
The written statement by spokesman Muhammad Khorasani came hours after a senior Taliban commander said four of his fighters launched the assault on Wednesday at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The reason for the conflicting statements was not immediately clear
With agency inputs
Operation to clear Pakistani university ends with four gunmen dead: Army
Pakistani authorities concluded an operation to clear a university in volatile northwestern Pakistan of gunmen who had attacked the campus on Wednesday, the army's spokesman said, ending an assault that left at least 19 people dead.
"The operation is over and the university has been cleared," Pakistan army spokesman General Asim Bajwa told Reuters. "Four gunmen have been killed." The militants, using the cover of thick, wintry fog, scaled the walls of the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, before entering buildings and opening fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels.
CM @PervezKhattakCM declares 3 days mourning in KP and flag at half mast #KP #KPKUpdates pic.twitter.com/BT5QsGZaKL
— Information & PRs KP (@infokpgovt) January 20, 2016
According to DIG Mardan Saeed Wazir two suicide jackets wore by dead militants have been defused, reports Daily Pakistan.
Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif has reached Bacha Khan University, Charsadda to review the situation after terrorist attack.
A female student being escorted out of #bachakhanuniversity during the attack by #PakArmy commando #Charsadda pic.twitter.com/ZbjhckfTmR
— Ali de behzad (@aliiovo) January 20, 2016
Prof Hamid was martyred by terrorists in #BachaKhanUniversity #Charsadda. pic.twitter.com/lFllh37v8I
— Nafy Achakzai (@n_achak) January 20, 2016
Strongly condemn terror attack, says PM Modi
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
Pakistani government issues statement
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif is deeply grieved over the sad incident of terrorists' attack on Bacha Khan University, Charsada, which has reportedly resulted into the loss of precious human lives and injured many others, said an official statement.
Issuing necessary directions to the law enforcement agencies for the earliest elimination of the terrorists, the Prime Minister is personally monitoring the situation and he is continuously being informed on the measures taken to combat the terrorists.
"The countless sacrifices made by our countrymen will not go in vain Inshaallah", said the Prime Minister.
Clearance of university block by block continues by Army troops. No firing being heard.
Charsadda Update:clearance of university block by block continues by Army troops.No firing being heard
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 20, 2016
Express Tribune reports, majority students residing in the boys hostel are dead: student
4 attackers killed at University, Pakistan Military Says
A Pakistani military spokesman Asim Bajwa said army had killed four militants.
Taking to micro-blogging, Bajwa said, " Snipers killed two more terrorists on roof top. Total four terrorist killed so far. All buildings and roof top taken over by Army. operation continues.
Update:Snipers killed 2 more terrorists on roof top,total Terrorist killed so far 4.All buildings&roof top taken over by Army.op continues-3
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 20, 2016
Pakistani Security forces post updates on Twitter
Minister Home @MKhanKPMinister Mahmood Khan rushes back from Swat to Charsadda #KP
— Information & PRs KP (@infokpgovt) January 20, 2016
#BachaKhanUniversity pic.twitter.com/rnrKzoQ1mr
— Information & PRs KP (@infokpgovt) January 20, 2016
Chief Secretary KP rushes back from meeting in Islamabad & on spot at Bacha Khan University #KP @PervezKhattakCM
— Information & PRs KP (@infokpgovt) January 20, 2016
Edhi Rescue services in Karachi says their Charsadda rescue workers have picked up 10 bodies from Bacha Khan University
— Khalid Khan™ (@khalidkhan787) January 20, 2016
Vice Chancellor Fazal Rahim told reporters that the Bacha Khan University teaches over 3,000 students and hosted an additional 600 visitors on Wednesday for a poetry recital.
Shabir Khan, a lecturer in the English department, said he was about to leave the hostel for the department when firing began.
"Most of the students and staff were in classes when the firing began," Khan said. "I have no idea about what's going on but I heard one security official talking on the phone to someone and said many people had been killed and injured."
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have claimed responsibility for the attack, reports Express Tribune.
Pakistan Army helicopters are monitoring the situation from the air to provide better spatial awareness to the forces conducting the operation on ground.
Pakistani journalist Talat Hussain tweets: Eyewitnesses say 'dozens killed'. Terrorists had a free hand for 50 mnts. Now terrorists are in one block.
#BachaKhanUniAttack---eyewitnesses say 'dozens killed'. Terrorists had a free hand for 50 mnts. Now terrorists are in one block. #Charsadda
— Syed Talat Hussain (@TalatHussain12) January 20, 2016
Charsada Update:Terrorists contained in two blocks within University.Troops,commandos participate.Ops continues-2
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 20, 2016
Update Charsadda:Two more terrorists who were firing from inside the Block cordoned by Army troops,shot&killed.Op continues
— AsimBajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) January 20, 2016
According to the Dawn, a rescued student claims that 60 to 70 students had been shot in the head by the attackers. The student added that the attack is reminiscent of the Army Public School Peshawar attack in December 16, 2014.
Following are the top developments
1) Five persons, who suffered minor injuries, have been shifted to District Headquarters Hospital, Charsadda, for treatment.
2) According to Geo TV, one chemistry professor killed after being shot in head.
3) Terrorists entered from the back-gate as the security at the front-gate was high.
4) Two guards were injured at the gate
5) Helicopters called in to assist the operation
6) Army contingents have also arrived at the scene and firing is continuing.
* According to Reuters, Pakistan police say they have killed two militants.
* Gunmen believed to be on second and third floor.
* One professor killed, several wounded.
Deputy Inspector General Saeed Wazir told Reuters that the number of gunmen was unclear but police had moved into the university and a gunfight with the attackers was under way.
"We launched an operation inside the university and are trying to rescue the students and staff of the institution," Wazir said.
Shabir Khan, a lecturer in the English department, said he was about to leave the hostel for the department when firing began.
"Most of the students and staff were in classes when the firing began," Khan said. "I have no idea about what's going on but I heard one security official talking on the phone to someone and said many people had been killed and injured."
