Taliban Attacks School in Pakistan Killing At Least 141, Most were Children
The attack started early Tuesday morning when a vehicle near the school exploded. Soon after, Taliban militants took advantage of the explosion that distracted the security forces. The Taliban managed to storm into the school, walking through the hallways and shooting at students.
Pakistani troops arrived at the scene just 15 minutes after the initial attack. But It took more than six hours before the Pakistani troops finally took control of the compound, CNN reported.
According to the Pakistani authorities, at least 141 people died- 132 students and 9 staffers- and more than 100 people were injured. Many of them had gunshot wounds. A majority of the 132 students that lost their lives were between the ages 12-16.
The Army Public School where the attack took place is a military-run facility for more than 1,000 students from first grade to 10th grade, whose parents work for the Pakistani Army. Authorities believe that might be the reason why the Taliban targeted the school.
Mohammed Khurasani, a Taliban spokesman, in a phone call to news media said that the Taliban was responsible for the attack and added that the six suicide bombers carried out the attack to get revenge for the killing of Taliban members by the Pakistani forces.
Gen. Asim Bajwa of Pakistani army announced on his Twitter account that after the attack, Pakistani authorities had launched "several ops", including air strikes. Again on Twitter, regarding to the attack he said "This ghastly act of cowardice of killing innocents clearly indicate they are not only enemies of Pakistan but enemies of humanity"
Although it's not the first time that the Taliban has carried out brutal attacks on civilians, even children, the attack left many people shocked worldwide. Malala Yousafzai was among those child victims who was attacked and shot by the Taliban in 2012. Fortunately she was able to survive and she recently earned a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in fighting for girls' rights to education.
