Attack on University in Pakistan leaves at least 19 Dead

Armed militants targeted a university in northwestern Pakistan on Wednesday, killing at least 19 civilians, with some outlets reporting that 22 civilians were killed.

Early reports stated that students, police and one chemistry teacher, Syed Hamid Husain were among those who were killed. Husain reportedly used a pistol to shoot back at the terrorists so that his students could runaway. A local police officer stated that 35 wounded people were being treated at a hospital, according to Reuters.

The minister of the province, Mehmood Khan, stated that four terrorists were killed in the attack that occurred during a ceremony at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda. Khan expects the civilian death toll to increase.

Army spokesman Lt. Gen. Asim Bajwa stated that the terrorists threw grenades before storming onto campus with guns.

Senior commander, Umar Mansoor with the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that it was carried out in retaliation to the military's operations against them that have tried to limit the group's power.

The spokesman for the terrorist group's central organization, Mohammad Khurrassani stated, however that the group, "strongly condemn the attack on Bacha Khan University in Charsadda and disown the attack, saying this is not according to Shariah," CNN reported.

CNN analyst Phil Mudd argued that the Taliban is most likely responsible since the group has carried out similar attacks in this particular region. The university is located less than 25 miles away from the school that was targeted by the Pakistani Taliban December 2014. In that attack, 145 people with 132 of them being children were killed.

At the time of the attack, the school was honoring the 28th anniversary of the death of Abdul Ghaffar Khan, who was also known as Bacha Khan. Khan was an independence activist and a pacifist during the 1920s. The university is named after him.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the attack, stating, "We are determined and resolved in our commitment to wipe out the menace of terrorism from our homeland. The countless sacrifices made by our countrymen will not go in vain Inshaallah."

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi released this statement via Twitter:

"Strongly condemn the terror attack at Bacha Khan University in Pakistan. Condolences to families of the deceased. Prayers with the injured."

U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan, David Hale, said in his statement, released on the U.S. Embassy Website, "I strongly condemn today's appalling attack on Bacha Khan University in Charsadda. The blatant disregard for human life displayed by these attackers is intolerable. It is especially reprehensible that the attackers targeted an educational institution where students and educators are seeking to better themselves and the nation of Pakistan. ... The United States stands with the government and people of Pakistan and is committed to supporting their efforts to fight terrorism. We support Pakistan's efforts to bring to justice those behind the attack."