Edgar Allan Pillow
Ero-Sennin
Reading the Islamic schools and the recent child abuse cases, I can't help but wonder if it's more...
Reading the Islamic schools and the recent child abuse cases, I can't help but wonder if it's more...
should be a separate thread. madnessPakistani Taliban fighters attack military-run school in Peshawar
Pakistani Taliban fighters have attacked a military-run school in Peshawar, in northwest Pakistan, in a raid that is thought to have killed at least ten children.
The death toll is difficult to confirm as many of the bodies remain inside the school as security forces try to retake it from the attackers, Al Jazeera sources said.
Hospital sources told Al Jazeera at least 28 more people had been wounded in Tuesday's attack on the school.
Peshawar's Lady Reading Hospital confirmed that there were four bodies at the hospital. A journalist at the scene in Peshawar said the toll was likely to rise.
"The situation is very grim. According to inside sources at least ten children have died and the fighting is ongoing," Zahir Shah Sherazi said.
"All the roads leading to this area have been cordoned off. We don't have a clear idea what is going on inside, but some sources are saying there are more bodies lying inside."
A spokesman for a faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), or Pakistani Taliban, said the attackers had been ordered to shoot older students at the school.
Military officials said at least six armed men entered the Army Public School and that about 500 students and teachers were believed to be inside.
The attack began at about 11am local time (06:00 GMT).
An initial blast as the attackers hit the school was followed by a second explosion a short time later. Small-arms fire has been heard throughout the raid as security forces continue to try to retake the school.
A heavy contingent of security forces arrived at the school shortly after the attack began and the operation is ongoing.
Retaliation attack
Muhammad Khorasani, TTP spokesperson, told Al Jazeera that six suicide bombers had been sent to the school.
He said the attackers had been given orders to allow the youngest students to leave, but to kill the rest.
The attack was in retaliation to an ongoing Pakistan Army operation against the TTP and its allies in the North Waziristan tribal area, Khorasani said.
The Pakistani military began Operation Zarb-e-Azb against the TTP and its allies on June 15, and says that it has so far retaken larges areas of territory from the group, killing more than 1,270.
The army is also carrying out a military operation in Khyber Agency, which borders Peshawar, where it says it has killed at least 179 fighters.
Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said the casualty toll was likely to rise.
"This is a soft target, no one would expect a school to be attacked and children would be involved," he said.
"This will only strengthen the public's resolve to carry on supporting the army."
Jesus I hope it's not that high. BBC are saying around 30 no?
A couple of journos on twitter reporting 104 reportedly killed, 84 of whom are children. Possibly more. Even Jamaat e islami (islamist party and frequent apologists for radicals) has condemned this. Pakistani news anchors are struggling to read out the updates with composure.
ARY anchors/reporters are being cnuts about it. Playing music, displaying breaking news banners/ary exclusive, repeatedly asking questions from a crying kid, etc.
Really tragic this, another by product of the mayhem caused by Bush and Blair with their meddling in Afghanistan and not helping with the indiscriminate drone attacks by the US subsequently.
but why should that lead to killing children from your country, even as an act of revengeReally tragic this, another by product of the mayhem caused by Bush and Blair with their meddling in Afghanistan and not helping with the indiscriminate drone attacks by the US subsequently.
Not sure how any of that should provide any motivation to bomb a children's school
Not sure how any of that should provide any motivation to bomb a children's school
but why should that lead to killing children from your country, even as an act of revenge
Really tragic this, another by product of the mayhem caused by Bush and Blair with their meddling in Afghanistan and not helping with the indiscriminate drone attacks by the US subsequently.
What nonsense. How does that justify this?
Never said it did.
Really tragic this, another by product of the mayhem caused by Bush and Blair with their meddling in Afghanistan and not helping with the indiscriminate drone attacks by the US subsequently.
That's what your post implied. You might not have meant it, but at this moment, there is no point raising US/UK foreign policy as it is irrelevant in this case.
And Pakistan and ISI supporting this Taliban at inception stage and to operate in Afghanistan was all fine ?
No people need to know the background and conditions on why these attacks happen how else is it going to stop?
Need to exterminate these first militarily then tactically or this is not gonna stop now. They are brainwashed.
No people need to know the background and conditions on why these attacks happen how else is it going to stop?
Pakistan army is an ally of the US who also helped the Taliban at inception so yes they have to take some responsibility too.