16 students among 18 killed in Taliban attack on school in Pak


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Peshawar, Dec 16, 2014, (PTI): Sixteen students were among at least 18 people killed today when heavily-armed Taliban militants stormed an army-run school in Pakistan’s volatile Peshawar city today and opened indiscriminate fire on them.

 

Several militants wearing black dress entered Army Public School on Warsak Road and started indiscriminate firing, killing 16 students, one teacher and one army personnel, a senior official said.

 

A police official said that the school has been cordoned off, with a rescue operation in progress. About 500 students and teachers were believed to be inside at the time of attack.

 

A spokesman for a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan faction has claimed responsibility for the attack.

 

An official said that about six militants were involved in the attack. The attackers were wearing black uniforms.

 

Still hundreds of students were trapped inside.

 

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Health Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai confirmed that so far 18 people - 16 students, a soldier and a female teacher - have been killed and 45 others injured.

 

The injured were shifted to Lady Reading Hospital.

 

The attackers wearing army uniform are still present inside the school and they have taken several students as hostages, reports said.

 

Mushtaq Ghani, provincial information minister, said the militants entered through a graveyard which is adjacent to the school, called Army Public School.

 

The school is close to Saint Mary High School located at the start of Warsak Road which was also under threat for 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.

 

In a brief statement, the army said: "Rescue operation by troops underway. Exchange of fire continues. Bulk of student and staff evacuated. Reports of some children and teachers killed by terrorist."

 

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman claimed that its six suicide bombers attacked army school.

 

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the attack.

 

Opposition Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf Imran Khan, whose party rules Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province, termed the attack as an act of "barbarism".

 

Shagufta, who lives near the school, told Geo TV that she heard two explosions, a smaller one followed by a huge bang.

 

A student who identified himself as Shuja told Samaa TV that 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 told Dunya TV 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.

 

A welcome ceremony planned in Lahore for the hockey team which won silver medal in the champion trophy in India has been postponed.

 

Pakistan Hockey Federation said that the ceremony would be held at a future suitable time.

 

 

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