This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/jan/20/pakistan-university-attack-gunmen-storm-bacha-khan-campus-live-updates

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 11 Version 12
Pakistan university attack: at least 30 dead as gunmen storm Bacha Khan campus Pakistan university attack: at least 30 dead as gunmen storm Bacha Khan campus
(7 months later)
11.42am GMT11.42am GMT
11:4211:42
That’s it for now. Jon Boone’s story on the attack wraps up the main developments and now includes some analysis of the context by Jason Burke.That’s it for now. Jon Boone’s story on the attack wraps up the main developments and now includes some analysis of the context by Jason Burke.
Related: Pakistan attacks: at least 30 dead in terror raid at Bacha Khan University
11.41am GMT11.41am GMT
11:4111:41
A security official told Reuters that the eventual death toll could rise to as high as 40.A security official told Reuters that the eventual death toll could rise to as high as 40.
A spokesman for rescue workers, Bilal Ahmad Faizi, said 19 bodies had been recovered including students, guards, policemen and at least one teacher, named by media as chemistry professor Syed Hamid Hussain.A spokesman for rescue workers, Bilal Ahmad Faizi, said 19 bodies had been recovered including students, guards, policemen and at least one teacher, named by media as chemistry professor Syed Hamid Hussain.
Many of the dead were apparently shot in the head, TV footage showed.Many of the dead were apparently shot in the head, TV footage showed.
Reuters also has this account of the how the attack unfolded:Reuters also has this account of the how the attack unfolded:
The militants, using the cover of thick, wintry fog, scaled the walls of the university before entering buildings and opening fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels, police said.The militants, using the cover of thick, wintry fog, scaled the walls of the university before entering buildings and opening fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels, police said.
Students told media they saw several young men wielding AK-47 guns storming the university housing where many students were sleeping.Students told media they saw several young men wielding AK-47 guns storming the university housing where many students were sleeping.
“They came from behind and there was a big commotion,” an unnamed male student told a news channel from a hospital bed in Charsadda’s District Hospital. “We were told by teachers to leave immediately. Some people hid in bathrooms.” Television footage showed military vehicles packed with soldiers driving into the campus as helicopters buzzed overhead and ambulances lined up outside the main gate while anxious parents consoled each other. Shabir Khan, a lecturer in the English department, said he was about to leave his university housing for the department when firing began.“They came from behind and there was a big commotion,” an unnamed male student told a news channel from a hospital bed in Charsadda’s District Hospital. “We were told by teachers to leave immediately. Some people hid in bathrooms.” Television footage showed military vehicles packed with soldiers driving into the campus as helicopters buzzed overhead and ambulances lined up outside the main gate while anxious parents consoled each other. Shabir Khan, a lecturer in the English department, said he was about to leave his university housing for the department when firing began.
“Most of the students and staff were in classes when the firing began,” Khan said. “I have no idea about what’s going on but I heard one security official talking on the phone to someone and said many people had been killed and injured.”“Most of the students and staff were in classes when the firing began,” Khan said. “I have no idea about what’s going on but I heard one security official talking on the phone to someone and said many people had been killed and injured.”
11.26am GMT11.26am GMT
11:2611:26
The terrorist monitoring group SITE confirms the mixed messages coming from the Pakistani Taliban. While one commander Umar Mansoor claimed responsibility for the attack. The organisation’s central spokesman Muhammad Khurasni has strongly condemned it.The terrorist monitoring group SITE confirms the mixed messages coming from the Pakistani Taliban. While one commander Umar Mansoor claimed responsibility for the attack. The organisation’s central spokesman Muhammad Khurasni has strongly condemned it.
The Central Spokesman for #TTP, Muhammad Khurasani, said the group "strongly condemns" the attack at #BachaKhanUniversity #CharsaddaThe Central Spokesman for #TTP, Muhammad Khurasani, said the group "strongly condemns" the attack at #BachaKhanUniversity #Charsadda
10.55am GMT10.55am GMT
10:5510:55
AFP has more on how a chemistry teacher died in the attack trying to fight the gunmen.AFP has more on how a chemistry teacher died in the attack trying to fight the gunmen.
Lecturer Syed Hamid Hussain, an assistant professor of chemistry at the Bacha Khan university in Charsadda, ordered his students to stay inside as Taliban gunmen stormed the campus.Lecturer Syed Hamid Hussain, an assistant professor of chemistry at the Bacha Khan university in Charsadda, ordered his students to stay inside as Taliban gunmen stormed the campus.
Students told of how he opened fire on gunmen as they rampaged across campus, giving the young people time to flee before he was cut down in a hail of bullets.Students told of how he opened fire on gunmen as they rampaged across campus, giving the young people time to flee before he was cut down in a hail of bullets.
“We saw three terrorists shouting, ‘Allah is great!’ and rushing towards the stairs of our department,” one man told reporters.“We saw three terrorists shouting, ‘Allah is great!’ and rushing towards the stairs of our department,” one man told reporters.
“One student jumped out of the classroom through the window. We never saw him get up.”“One student jumped out of the classroom through the window. We never saw him get up.”
He described seeing Hussain holding a pistol and firing at the attackers.He described seeing Hussain holding a pistol and firing at the attackers.
“Then we saw him fall down and as the terrorists entered the (registrar) office we ran away.”“Then we saw him fall down and as the terrorists entered the (registrar) office we ran away.”
Geology student Zahoor Ahmed said Husain had warned him not to leave the building after the first shots were fired.Geology student Zahoor Ahmed said Husain had warned him not to leave the building after the first shots were fired.
“He was holding a pistol in his hand,” he said.“He was holding a pistol in his hand,” he said.
“Then I saw a bullet hit him. I saw two militants were firing. I ran inside and then managed to flee by jumping over the back wall.”“Then I saw a bullet hit him. I saw two militants were firing. I ran inside and then managed to flee by jumping over the back wall.”
“They fired directly at” the professor, sociology student Muhammad Daud told AFP, describing Hussain as “a real gentleman and a respectable teacher”.“They fired directly at” the professor, sociology student Muhammad Daud told AFP, describing Hussain as “a real gentleman and a respectable teacher”.
Tributes were paid to the academic on Twitter.Tributes were paid to the academic on Twitter.
Martyr of #education: Prof Hamid who was killed by terrorists in #BachaKhanUniversity #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/QY1UEFgtVo pic via @jaagalertsMartyr of #education: Prof Hamid who was killed by terrorists in #BachaKhanUniversity #Pakistan pic.twitter.com/QY1UEFgtVo pic via @jaagalerts
Chemistry professor Syed Hamid Husain was killed in the Bacha Khan University attack -- RIP pic.twitter.com/eKtUnVFW2CChemistry professor Syed Hamid Husain was killed in the Bacha Khan University attack -- RIP pic.twitter.com/eKtUnVFW2C
Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain confirmed the lecturer had died, and expressed his grief and condolences to the man’s family.Pakistan’s President Mamnoon Hussain confirmed the lecturer had died, and expressed his grief and condolences to the man’s family.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.56am GMTat 10.56am GMT
10.38am GMT10.38am GMT
10:3810:38
Attack overAttack over
A Pakistani Army official has said the attack is over.A Pakistani Army official has said the attack is over.
Army spokesman Asim Bajwa the army chief General Raheel Sharif was able to visit the campus after police and soldiers cleared the area.Army spokesman Asim Bajwa the army chief General Raheel Sharif was able to visit the campus after police and soldiers cleared the area.
#COAS visited Bacha Khan University,met with LEAs/troops who carried out op.Grieved over tragic loss.Appreciated timely response from Psr-1#COAS visited Bacha Khan University,met with LEAs/troops who carried out op.Grieved over tragic loss.Appreciated timely response from Psr-1
#COAS just visited Charsada hosp.Said,Our heart goes out to bereaved families of shaheeds for this irreparable loss.Also met all injured-2#COAS just visited Charsada hosp.Said,Our heart goes out to bereaved families of shaheeds for this irreparable loss.Also met all injured-2
10.33am GMT10.33am GMT
10:3310:33
Journalist Omar Quraishi has some background and a photograph of Omar Mansoor, the Pakistani Taliban commander who initially claimed the TTP carried out the attack.Journalist Omar Quraishi has some background and a photograph of Omar Mansoor, the Pakistani Taliban commander who initially claimed the TTP carried out the attack.
TTP Commander Omar Mansoor who claimed today's attack did his schooling from Islamabad and then joined a madrassa pic.twitter.com/447IHFg3LlTTP Commander Omar Mansoor who claimed today's attack did his schooling from Islamabad and then joined a madrassa pic.twitter.com/447IHFg3Ll
TTP Commander Omar Mansoor who claimed today's attack is known to be closed to Hakeemullah Mehsud and Mullah Fazlullah - fled to AfghanistanTTP Commander Omar Mansoor who claimed today's attack is known to be closed to Hakeemullah Mehsud and Mullah Fazlullah - fled to Afghanistan
Mansoor also told AP that the TTP carried out the attack.Mansoor also told AP that the TTP carried out the attack.
It points out that he was mastermind behind the December 2014 attack on an army-run school in Peshawar.It points out that he was mastermind behind the December 2014 attack on an army-run school in Peshawar.
Mansoor says his four-man team conducted the assault at the campus in the town of Chasadda. He says it was in revenge for the scores of militants the Pakistani security forces have killed in recent months.Mansoor says his four-man team conducted the assault at the campus in the town of Chasadda. He says it was in revenge for the scores of militants the Pakistani security forces have killed in recent months.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.09am GMTat 11.09am GMT
10.18am GMT10.18am GMT
10:1810:18
Pakistani Taliban spokesman condemns attackPakistani Taliban spokesman condemns attack
The Pakistani Taliban now seem to be backing away from that claim of responsibility.The Pakistani Taliban now seem to be backing away from that claim of responsibility.
The claim was originally Umar Mansoor, a TTP commander, who told AFP: “Our four suicide attackers carried out the attack on Bacha Khan University.”The claim was originally Umar Mansoor, a TTP commander, who told AFP: “Our four suicide attackers carried out the attack on Bacha Khan University.”
But a Facebook post by Mansoor about the attack has since been removed.But a Facebook post by Mansoor about the attack has since been removed.
Omar Mansoor claimed the attack on Bacha Khan University -- was posted on his Facebook page - no longer available pic.twitter.com/A0Oxn3j8gjOmar Mansoor claimed the attack on Bacha Khan University -- was posted on his Facebook page - no longer available pic.twitter.com/A0Oxn3j8gj
Another TTP spokesman said the organisation was not responsible and has condemned it, according to the Express Tribune.Another TTP spokesman said the organisation was not responsible and has condemned it, according to the Express Tribune.
TTP, Mullah Fazlullah not behind Bacha Khan University attack: Khorasani https://t.co/fGRIrEvkkM pic.twitter.com/JTeOjCywHITTP, Mullah Fazlullah not behind Bacha Khan University attack: Khorasani https://t.co/fGRIrEvkkM pic.twitter.com/JTeOjCywHI
10.06am GMT10.06am GMT
10:0610:06
Pakistan opposition leader Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, has condemned the attack and said the country is united against terrorism.Pakistan opposition leader Imran Khan, chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, has condemned the attack and said the country is united against terrorism.
Strongly condemn cowardly terrorist attack on Bacha Khan Uni Charsadda today. The nation stands united & resolute against terrorism.Strongly condemn cowardly terrorist attack on Bacha Khan Uni Charsadda today. The nation stands united & resolute against terrorism.
10.05am GMT10.05am GMT
10:0510:05
What we know so farWhat we know so far
9.51am GMT9.51am GMT
09:5109:51
After one Pakistani Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack another is reported to have condemned it, pointing to possible splits in Tehrik-e-Taliban, according to the Guardian’s Jason Burke.After one Pakistani Taliban spokesman claimed responsibility for the attack another is reported to have condemned it, pointing to possible splits in Tehrik-e-Taliban, according to the Guardian’s Jason Burke.
this interesting. movements/organisations most dangerous when they fragment? https://t.co/Lxx6ODfoQhthis interesting. movements/organisations most dangerous when they fragment? https://t.co/Lxx6ODfoQh
Earlier Umar Mansoor, TTP commander told AFP: “Our four suicide attackers carried out the attack on Bacha Khan University today.”Earlier Umar Mansoor, TTP commander told AFP: “Our four suicide attackers carried out the attack on Bacha Khan University today.”
9.40am GMT9.40am GMT
09:4009:40
AFP has a grim timeline on deadliest insurgent attacks in Pakistan since 2007AFP has a grim timeline on deadliest insurgent attacks in Pakistan since 2007
20072007
20082008
20092009
20102010
20112011
20122012
20132013
20142014
20152015
20162016
9.27am GMT9.27am GMT
09:2709:27
Britain’s high commissioner to Pakistan, Philip Barton, has expressed his concerns about the attack.Britain’s high commissioner to Pakistan, Philip Barton, has expressed his concerns about the attack.
Very concerned by the reports of the attack at #charsadda. My thoughts and prayers are with students, faculty and all those affected.Very concerned by the reports of the attack at #charsadda. My thoughts and prayers are with students, faculty and all those affected.
9.24am GMT9.24am GMT
09:2409:24
Pakistan’s army chief, General Raheel Sharif, has arrived at the Bacha Khan campus.Pakistan’s army chief, General Raheel Sharif, has arrived at the Bacha Khan campus.
He is to briefed on the unfolding situation as soldiers continue to sweep the campus for militants.He is to briefed on the unfolding situation as soldiers continue to sweep the campus for militants.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.09am GMTat 11.09am GMT