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| Gunmen storm college campus in northern Pakistan | Gunmen storm college campus in northern Pakistan |
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| ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Several armed gunmen stormed onto a college campus early Wednesday in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. | ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Several armed gunmen stormed onto a college campus early Wednesday in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. |
| According to initial reports, the gunmen detonated explosives and are currently holed up in some classrooms at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, located about 30 miles from Peshawar. | According to initial reports, the gunmen detonated explosives and are currently holed up in some classrooms at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, located about 30 miles from Peshawar. |
| In a statement, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif confirmed fatalities are likely. | |
| Sharif, who is in Zurich for a global economic conference, said law enforcement agencies are converging on the scene to try to rescue students and faculty members. | |
| “We are determined and resolved in our commitment to wipe out the menace of terrorism from our homeland,” Sharif said. “The countless sacrifices made by our countrymen will not go in vain.” | |
| Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa, a spokesman for the Pakistan military, said army units have surrounded the university. One eyewitness reported seeing army commandos repelling from a rope onto university grounds. | |
| Talat Hussain, an anchor for Pakistan GEO News, said in a Twitter message that eyewitnesses told him they fear “dozens” of people may have been killed. “Terrorists had a free hand for 50” minutes. | |
| Fazal Rahim Marwat told express News TV that he was near the university when he received word that the school was under attack. | Fazal Rahim Marwat told express News TV that he was near the university when he received word that the school was under attack. |
| “We have 3000 students including 400 girls students, and 600 teachers and staff present in the university campus,” he explained. “We have not received any security alert or threat but we were aware of the situation as some terrorist incidents have been taking place in the province.” | “We have 3000 students including 400 girls students, and 600 teachers and staff present in the university campus,” he explained. “We have not received any security alert or threat but we were aware of the situation as some terrorist incidents have been taking place in the province.” |
| Saeed Khan Wazir, a senior police officer, told media, “There was severe fog as visibility was almost none, but the university is being surrounded by police and army soldiers. Efforts are underway to overcome the terrorists and clear the situation.” | Saeed Khan Wazir, a senior police officer, told media, “There was severe fog as visibility was almost none, but the university is being surrounded by police and army soldiers. Efforts are underway to overcome the terrorists and clear the situation.” |
| In December 2014, a terrorist attack at an army-run school in Peshawar killed about 150 teachers and students. After that, Pakistani officials greatly enhanced security at educational establishments, but there have been repeated warnings schools were still vulnerable to attack. On Tuesday, parents throughout northwestern Pakistan rushed to pull their children out of school after rumors spread through communities that a terrorist attack on a school may be imminent. | In December 2014, a terrorist attack at an army-run school in Peshawar killed about 150 teachers and students. After that, Pakistani officials greatly enhanced security at educational establishments, but there have been repeated warnings schools were still vulnerable to attack. On Tuesday, parents throughout northwestern Pakistan rushed to pull their children out of school after rumors spread through communities that a terrorist attack on a school may be imminent. |
| There was no immediate information about whether any students or faculty members have been injured in Wednesday’s assault. One police official said the attack began after the gunmen snuck onto school grounds using the cover of Pakistan’s chronically foggy mornings during the winter. | There was no immediate information about whether any students or faculty members have been injured in Wednesday’s assault. One police official said the attack began after the gunmen snuck onto school grounds using the cover of Pakistan’s chronically foggy mornings during the winter. |
| Pakistan’s Express-Tribune newspaper reported explosions and gunfire can be heard coming from university buildings as police and paramilitary officers rush to the scene. | Pakistan’s Express-Tribune newspaper reported explosions and gunfire can be heard coming from university buildings as police and paramilitary officers rush to the scene. |
| Haq Nawaz Khan, who is based in Peshawar, contributed to this report. | Haq Nawaz Khan, who is based in Peshawar, contributed to this report. |
| Read more: | Read more: |
| Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world | Today's coverage from Post correspondents around the world |