Peshawar : When a band of terrorists stormed the Army Public School in Peshwar and at least 12 children were killed, a sense of shock and fear swept those who managed to escape the building as well as those across the country.
According to ARY News’ reports, at least 40 children were seriously injured and 500 students were trapped in the school, now surrounded by security and army personnel.
Some students and staff gave the first-hand account of the terrorist attack on the school, which is known for its strict security checks even on normal days.
According to a senior student present, the attack involved around seven terrorists, and several dozen students were injured in their firing.
“Our class had just started, but suddenly our teachers asked us to put our heads down. Jaise hi hum class sey bahar nikaley, hamarey kuchh saathi zakhmi halat mein pade hue they (just as we rushed out of our class, we saw some of our fellows were lying injured in the corridor). There were six to seven dehshatgarg (terrorists),” Mukhtar, a second-year student, told media.
“It was the fourth period. We were in our classrooms. We saw army personnel arriving…, our teachers said it would be a security drill…but then our principal arrived and asked our teacher that the students have to be evacuated,” a student aged about five to six told the media.
“…then we saw they (the terrorists) were carrying guns in their hands,” the student added.
Uday, a lab assistant at the school, narrated about the horror to reporters.
“Jab attack hua, hum school canteen mein baithey huwe they …main chhup gaya, army ek ghante bad aayi…wo log class mein nahin they…per woh 6-7 they…firing bund thi …per maine dekha unke paas bade bade rifle they (We were in canteen when the attack occurred. I hid myself…the army arrived after an hour….but the terrorists were not in classrooms…they were six to seven of them…the firing had stopped…but terrrorists had big rifles with them).”
One of the parents, who rushed to the school after the attack, questioned the possibility of terrorists entering such a school.
“Hum khud jab school jate hain to hamari checking hoti hai…hamari gadiyon ki checking hoti hai…phir ye dehshatgarg ghus kaise gaye? Ye badi hairani hai (When we visit the school, even we are searched along with our vehicles. So this is quite shocking and mysterious to all of us. How could terrorists enter such a building?”
Latest media reports said commandos and security forces have surrounded the area and are feverishly attempting to end the crisis. A military helicopter was also monitoring the situation.
Dawn said that the armed men entered the school and were reportedly holding students hostage at the premises.