Lifestyle /
Pakistan Tragedy Aftermath
World Mourns The Loss Of Innocence As The Images of Taliban Massacre Emerges
GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING
In the deadliest slaughter of innocents in Pakistan in years, Taliban gunmen attacked a military-run school last Tuesday and killed 141 people — almost all of them students — before government troops ended the siege.
Known to have a reputation for being against educating women, the attack came shortly after Malala Yousafazi won the Nobel Peace Prize recently, a staunch advocate for girl’s education in the country, and is herself a victim of Taliban’s anti-education agenda.
A view of the blood stained auditorium of Army Public School that was attacked by the Taliban militants in Peshawar/ EPA/BILAWAL ARBAB/ Independent.co.uk
Tehrik-e-Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack stating that, “We selected the army's school for the attack because the government is targeting our families and females. We want them to feel the pain." The attack began at 10 am when armed gunman entered the school and opened fire on unassuming students and teachers inside the building where witnesses heard gunfire and explosives for hours after the attacked had started, which went on till 6 p.m.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared three days of mourning over the massacre, which has sparked national outrage. Pakistan government ordered closure of all educational institutions in Punjab province fearing backlash from terrorists in the wake of its decision to execute hundreds of inmates on death row.
"The winter vacation were due from December 24 to December 31 but on the reports of the intelligence agencies that terrorists can target schools and other educational institutions in reaction to hanging their death row fellows, the government has decided to call early winter holidays from December 19 to January 9," an official of Punjab home department told PTI.
He also announced an end to the moratorium on the death penalty for terrorism cases, which correspondents say is a move aimed at countering a view held by many Pakistanis that many terror suspects end up evading justice.
World leaders have also voiced disgust at the attack, which even the Afghan Taliban have criticized.
Inside a classroom show the level of destruction/ BBC
According to Washington post, the mass tragedy of children in the military zone in the northeastern city of Peshawar drew condemnation from around the world barring religious and political boundaries. Many analysts have suggested that after the suicide attacks on markets, mosques, hotels, and military base, this attack has taken the violence too far and may be a turning point for the nation and the government to finally face the Taliban. Furthermore, this has been one of the highest death tolls in Pakistan’s recent years since 2007 when 150 people were killed in Karachi during the celebrations of the return of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto, from self-exile. Bhutto was unfortunately exiled assassinated soon after the attacks.
Khalid Khan, 13, who was witness to the attacks, told Huffington Post, “They opened fire at the students and then went out. The army doctor and soldiers managed to escape and we locked the doors from inside. But very soon they came, broke the doors and entered and again started firing." The gunmen were brutal and shot kids who tried to hide under the desks anyway. Khan continued sobbing, “They killed most of my class mates and then I didn't know what happened as I was brought to the hospital.”
BBC's Mishal Husain explains the scene as he stands on the school ground, after the attacks, "I am standing now at the bottom of the white stone steps that lead up to the auditorium. There are bloodstains running right down the steps and towards the auditorium itself. There is a child's shoe on one of the steps. The auditorium, where children were taking exams, was one of the places within the school grounds that the militants first targeted."
Meanwhile, Pakistan's army chief General Raheel Sharif is in the Afghan capital, Kabul, on a surprise visit to discuss security co-operation aimed at tackling the Taliban insurgency.
The Army school is Peshawar, which is located at the edge of the country’s tribal belt is operated by the army. While it enrolls civilian students, many of its students are primarily children of army officials, the Taliban’s intended target for the attack.
Featured Image:independent – Army Public School/ Journalists inspect the premises of Army Public School/ EPA/BILAWALARBAB
COMMENTS
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
-
How To Host The Perfect South Asian Holiday Dinner
-
ANOKHI's Holiday Gift Guide For Thoughtful Desi Presents For The Home & Beyond
-
Not Into Flu Shots? Try These Centuries-Old Desi Home Remedies Instead!
-
Diwali Gift Guide: Barbie® Diwali Doll & 8 More Unique South Asian Gift Ideas
-
From Turkey To Tadka: Desi-Inspired Thanksgiving Recipes
-
Mommy's Time-Out: How To Reclaim Your Zen After The Back-to-School Scramble
-
Khichdi Cups & 5 South Asian School Lunch Recipes For Busy Desi Parents
-
6 Complaints Desi Grandparents Have About Keeping Pets & How You Can Counter Them
-
Raksha Bandhan Gift Guide: Celebrate The Festival With A Modern Twist!
-
Summer Elixirs: Healthy South Asian Cooling Drink Recipes To Beat The Heat
-
Stay Cool: Build a Summer Garden Oasis At Home With Tulsi & Shade
-
Celebrating International Yoga Day: Find Your Balance Through Chakra Meditation
-
Spice Up Your Summer BBQ With These 5 Mouthwatering South Asian Recipes
-
South Asian Heritage Month: Journey Through Time With 8 Iconic South Asian Travel Destinations
-
How To Add Ancient South Asian Spiritual Cleansing Rituals To Modern Spring Cleaning Techniques
-
Toronto's Living Luxe Design Show Sets a New Standard for Luxury Exhibitions
-
Savouring South Asian Style: Elevate Your Home Decor with Cultural Flair
-
6 Ways To Create Fun Quality Time With Your Kids & Parents That Both Will Love!
-
Celebrating South Asian Literature: Must-Read Books by Female Authors
-
Flavourful Festivities: Traditional Holi Recipes To Spice Up Your Table
-
The Living Luxe Design Show Presented By JennAir Announces Powerhouse Program Of Speakers
-
7 Ways Yoga Will Save Your Mental Health
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Can I Convince My Friend That Her Threatening Boyfriend Is The Problem, Not Me?
-
10 Tips To Manage & Survive Long-Distance Relationships
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm Afraid My Childhood Bully Will Be Back In My Life, What Do I Do?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Create "Me Time" In My Demanding Life?
-
Hot Spot Alert: Mishree Cocktails & Cuisine Exhilarates With South Asian X Middle Eastern Cuisine
-
BioAro Founder Dr. Anmol Kapoor Wants You To Be The CEO Of Your Health
-
Savour the Holidays With This Paneer Pakora Recipe By KFI Sauces!
-
Here's How To Craft And Achieve Meaningful New Year's Resolutions
-
Snack It Up This Holiday Season with Indian-Inspired Potato Wedges by KFI Sauces
-
Butter Chicken Nachos Recipe By KFI Sauces Is Perfect For Your Holiday Spread
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend She's Taking My Emotional Support For Granted?
-
Anjali Pathak of Patak's Shares Her Favourite Recipes For The Holiday Season
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: Why Does Our Family Get Togethers Always End With A Fight?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law To Stop Intruding In My Daughter's Wedding Plans?
-
Event Alert: The Auric Living Conference Brings Holistic Healing To Toronto
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: I'm On The Outs With My Friend Because I Supported Her Breakup What Do I Do?
-
Event Alert: The Desai Foundation Rings In 10th Anniversary of "Diwali On The Hudson" Gala
-
South Asians & Arthritis: Busting Myths And Sharing Facts About This Disease In Our Community
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Kids That My Granddaughter's Best Friend Is A Bully?
-
Make Your Brunch Brilliant With This French Buckwheat Crepes & Dosas Recipe!
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Sis-In-Law That Her Messy Dog Is Not Welcome At My House?
-
You Just Need A Hot Pot To Make This Amazing Masala Style Vegan Tomato Soup
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Friend To Stop Interrupting Me?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Trust My Husband After He Cheated On Me?
-
Check Out This Insane Recipe For Mini Masala Idli
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Tell My Brother That His Cottage Rules Ruins All The Fun?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: What Do I Do When My Fiancé Shares His Dog With His Ex?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Convince My Partner That Our Six-Year-Old Is To Young For Sleepovers?
-
Ask Dr. Monica Vermani: How Do I Deal With My Friend Who Always Wants To Start A Fight?
-
Here's Why Paris Calls Tharshan Selvarajah The Best Baguette Baker In The City
