124 kids among 132 dead in Taliban attack, 6 terrorists killed

Mangalore Today News Network

Peshawar, Dec 16, 2014:  The Taliban attacked a military-run school in Peshawar on Tuesday, killing over 100 students, because they wanted revenge for the Pakistani military targeting their own families, a spokesman said.

"We selected the army’s school for the attack because the government is targeting our families and females," said Taliban spokesman Muhammad Umar Khorasani. "We want them to feel the pain."

 

Troops surrounded the building and an operation was underway to rescue children still trapped inside, the army said.

Hours into the siege, multiple explosions and heavy gunfire were heard inside the military-run high school.

Outside, as helicopters rumbled overhead, police struggled to hold back distraught parents who were trying to break past a security cordon and get into the school.

Bahramand Khan, director of information for the regional Chief Minister’s Secretariat, said at least 126 people were killed and 122 wounded.

"Military officials at the scene said at least six armed men had entered the military-run Army Public School.

"We were standing outside the school and firing suddenly started and there was chaos everywhere and the screams of children and teachers," said Jamshed Khan, a school bus driver.

"After half an hour of the attack, the army came and sealed the school," a teacher told a private television channel outside the besieged school.

"It’s a revenge attack for the army offensive in North Waziristan," he said, referring to an anti-Taliban military offensive that began in June.

"We selected the army’s school for the attack because the government is targeting our families and females," said Taliban spokesman Muhammad Umar Khorasani. "We want them to feel the pain."

 

The Pakistani Taliban, who are fighting to topple the government and set up a strict Islamic state, have vowed to step up attacks in response to a major army operation against the insurgents in the tribal areas.

With the rescue operation under way, the situation remained fluid, with contradictory reports about what was happening inside the school and witness accounts difficult to come by.

"An army doctor was visiting us teaching us about first aid when attackers came from behind our school and started firing," one student told Pakistan’s Dunya Television.

"Our teachers locked the door and we ducked on the floor, but they (militants) broke down the door. Initially they fired in the air and later started killing the students, but left the hall suddenly."

The army said five Taliban militants had been killed and that they were searching for any remaining gunmen. The Taliban had earlier said they had sent six insurgents with suicide vests to attack the school.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and said he was on his way to Peshawar.

"I can’t stay back in Islamabad. This is a national tragedy unleashed by savages. These were my kids," he said in a statement.

Military officials at the scene said at least six armed men had entered the military-run Army Public School. About 500 students and teachers were believed to be inside.