APS Attack

On 16 December 2014, seven gunmen affiliated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) conducted a terrorist attack on the Army Public School in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar. The militants were recognized as, all of whom were foreign nationals, one Chechen, three Arabs and two Afghans.

Martyrs

132 children and nine staffers were killed in the attack. The children was from age 6 to 17years old.

Survivors

121 people were injured during the attack but survived.

Rescued

 1099 students and staff were registered in the school, and that security forces managed to rescue 960 of them

Claimers and Facilitators

Tehreek-Taliban Pakistan claimed the responsibility for the APS attack but it was carried out on the directions of Mullah Fazlullah from Kunnar, Afghanistan and he selected Umer Amir to supervise the attack. The attack was carried out by 27-member group of which 12 were arrested, 9 terrorists killed. Taliban spokesman Mohammed Umar Khurasani said “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”.

Intelligence threat alert

 Terror threat alert was issued to the KP government on Aug 25 and 27 warning of an impending attack on an army public school. Gen Asif Bajwa, however, denied there was any specific intelligence regarding the attack on the school.

Brisk Response

• Army Chief General Raheel Shareef and Prime Minister reached Peshawar and Chief said “These terrorists have struck the heart of the nation, But our resolve to tackle this menace has gotten a new lease of life. We will pursue these monsters and their facilitators until they are eliminated for good”.
• Imran khan announced to end sit-in protest against government
• All parties conference was held in Peshawar on 17th December 2014. All political leaders were there and have showed full support for government.
• Government intensified attacks in Waziristan against alleged terrorists
• Government lifted moratorium on death penalty
• Schools were closed for 20 days after attack
• Call for increasing security measures was given to all schools nationwide
• Numbers of law enforcing agencies were circulated to notify any doubtful activity.

International Reactions towards Brutality.

Global reactions have been similarly emotional as national.

• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on all of India’s schools to observe two minutes of silence on Wednesday ”as a mark of solidarity.”

British Prime Minister David Cameron called the attack “deeply shocking,” noting that it was “horrifying that children are being killed simply for going to school.”

• “A house of learning turned into a house of unspeakable horror,” said U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.
• The Chinese foreign ministry issued a statement: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by the incident, and most strongly condemn on the terrorist attack.
• Afghan President Ashraf Ghani condemned the attack and said “The killing of innocent children is contrary to Islam.” “We share the pains and sufferings of Pakistan’s people, and condemn in strongest possible terms this terrorist, brutal, non-Islamic and inhuman act.”
• Iranian President Hassan Rouhani condemned the attack and sent condolences to families of victims. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marziyeh Afkham in a press conference said “This is a totally un-Islamic and inhumane action,”
• King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia condemned the attack saying “We have heard about the news of this terrorist attack with profound pain and grief.” Grand Mufti Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah Al ash-Sheikh condemned the attack describing it as “corruption, injustice and aggression.” He further added that “It’s appalling to see many people being killed in Muslim countries these days and this should wake up Muslims as it’s a dangerous action and a big crime.”
• President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu condemned the attack and announced a day of national mourning in Turkey. Foreign Ministry issued a statement which reads: “The attack in Peshawar, which aimed at disrupting the country’s domestic peace and security, caused deep sadness in Turkey. Turkey is determined to continue its solidarity with the Pakistani Government and its people and will continue supporting Pakistan’s fight against terrorism

Initiatives

• National Action Plan

On 24 December 2014 political parties conference chaired by Nawaz Sharif reached consensus over the issue of setting up military courts for tackling terrorism cases in the country, along with a wider plan to tackle terrorism. We have to act fast and whatever is agreed we have to implement it immediately…this agreement is a defining moment for Pakistan and we will eliminate terrorists from this country.

Special courts, headed by the officers of the armed forces, will be established for the speedy trial of terrorists. These courts will be established for a term of two years.

• Formation of armed militia will not be allowed in the country.

• National Counter Terrorism Authority will be revived and made effective

•  There will be a crackdown on hate-speech, and action will be taken against newspapers, magazines contributing to the spread of such speech.

•  Financial sources of terrorists and terror organizations will be cut.

•  Banned outfits will not be allowed to operate under different names.

• Special anti-terrorism force will be raised.

• Measures will be taken to stop religious extremism and to protect minorities.

• Madrassas will be regularized and reformed.

• Print and electronic media will not be allowed to give any space to terrorists.

• Keeping the rehabilitation of IDPs as the top-most priority, administrative and development reforms in FATA will be expedited.

• Communication systems of terrorist organizations will be destroyed.

•  Social media and the Internet will not be allowed to be used by terrorists to spread propaganda and hate speech, though exact process for that will be finalized.

•  Like the rest of the country, no space will be given to extremism in any part of the Punjab.

• Operation against terrorists in Karachi will be taken to its logical conclusion.

•  In the interest of political reconciliation, Baluchistan government will be given complete authority by all stakeholders.

•  Elements spreading sectarian violence will be prosecuted. o Comprehensive policy will be formed for registration of Afghan refugees.