Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province became a target of a group of terrorists at about 9:30 am on January 20, 2016. The militants it seems took full advantage of the thick morning fog, and opened fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels. An intensive exchange of fire took place between the attackers and Pakistan’s security forces, immediately after the soldiers stepped into the precincts of the university. Naturally, the atmosphere turned extremely gloomy as the wailing and apprehensive parents of the students consoled each other and the ambulances lined up outside the main entrance of the university.
It is said that the valiant soldiers of Pakistan Army came into action, yet again, and after a six hour-long gun battle succeeded in gunning down the four militants involved in the attack on Bacha Khan University. It has been reported that the ruthless terrorists resorted to indiscriminate firing the moment they entered the precincts of the university. The death toll, though not as large in number as the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar episode of December 16, 2015, yet it has left an indelible mark not only on the minds of those who lost their near and dear ones in the massacre but the entire Pakistani nation.
Terror attack lunched by the extremists on Bacha Khan University on January 20 is an outright act of barbarism. The barbaric act of terrorism committed by the terrorists has been condemned in strongest terms by the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan. The civil society and Pakistan’s Armed forces too did not lag behind in doing so. The Armed Forces of the country have been fighting a gruesome war against terror with unfathomable valour. The sacrifice made by the Armed forces of Pakistan in the war against terror is phenomenal and must be genuinely appreciated by all.
The terror attack on Bacha Khan University has, in fact, further strengthened the commitment of Pakistan’s Armed Forces and the Pakistani nation to fight the ongoing war against terrorism with greater conviction. Let’s fight the handful of heartless terrorists till they are completely wiped out from our soil. Let’s not get cowed down by the sporadic incidents of terrorism such as the one that took place at Bacha Khan University on January 20.
M FAZAL ELAHI
Islamabad