Gunmen Attack Bacha Khan University In Pakistan; 3000 Students Trapped

According to Geo News reporter present on site, at least five injured have been taken out from the university and are being shifted to the hospital while a heavy contingent of police is present and is taking part in an operation against the armed terrorists who are said to be hiding in different parts of the university.

Wednesday’s attack began shortly after the Bacha Khan University opened for classes in the town of Charsadda, some 35 kilometres (21 miles) outside Peshawar, said Deputy Commissioner Tahir Zafar.

An official talking to DawnNews quoted a rescued student as claiming that 60 to 70 students had been shot in the head by the attackers. Pakistani Taliban have in the past targeted the party for its anti-militant policies.

Media reported that a chemistry professor had been killed and 50 people wounded in the attack. Security personnel are still entering the school to control the situation.

The attack has caused a great panic at the campus which has an estimated 3,000 students.

“There are male and female staff members and students on the campus”, university vice chancellor Fazal Raheem Marwat said, adding he had been on his way to work when he was informed of the attack.

Recent media reports quote DIG Saeed Wazir, as saying that two attackers have been killed.

On Tuesday, a suicide attack at a market on the city’s outskirts killed 10 people, in addition to the bomber.

Khyber is one of Pakistan’s seven tribal districts situated next to Peshawar and bordering Afghanistan. Pakistani forces have been carrying out a major operation against the Taliban and other militants there since 2014.

Though authorities say overall violence has declined since the wide-ranging military offensive was launched in North Waziristan, the Taliban still manage to carry out major attacks.

The four of those militants were hanged last December after being convicted by a military court set up following the attach in order to expedite cases against terrorists.