This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/pakistan-university-attack-gunmen-kill-professor-and-student-after-storming-campus-near-peshawar-a6822176.html
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Pakistan university attack: Suspected Taliban gunmen kill 21 people and injure 51 after storming Bacha Khan campus | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| At least 21 people have been killed and 51 wounded after a group of suspected Taliban gunmen attacked a university in Pakistan. | At least 21 people have been killed and 51 wounded after a group of suspected Taliban gunmen attacked a university in Pakistan. |
| The gun battle ended several hours after the militants stormed the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. | The gun battle ended several hours after the militants stormed the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda, in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. |
| Three students, at least one professor, and members of the police force all lost their lives in the violent attack. Many of those who died were shot in the head, it was reported. | Three students, at least one professor, and members of the police force all lost their lives in the violent attack. Many of those who died were shot in the head, it was reported. |
| Deputy Inspector General Saeed Wazir told AFP that "the death toll in the terrorist attack [had] risen to 21," but a security official feared it could climb to 40. | Deputy Inspector General Saeed Wazir told AFP that "the death toll in the terrorist attack [had] risen to 21," but a security official feared it could climb to 40. |
| Security forces entered the campus to bring the situation under control and the army said four gunmen were killed. | Security forces entered the campus to bring the situation under control and the army said four gunmen were killed. |
| Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Umar Mansoor, a senior Pakistani Taliban commander. He said four of his men were involved. | Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Umar Mansoor, a senior Pakistani Taliban commander. He said four of his men were involved. |
| However, Mohammad Khurasani, the main spokesman for the Pakistan Taliban said the attack was "un-Islamic" and denied that the group was responsible, the BBC reported. | However, Mohammad Khurasani, the main spokesman for the Pakistan Taliban said the attack was "un-Islamic" and denied that the group was responsible, the BBC reported. |
| Following the attack, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said: "We are determined and resolved in our community to wipe out the menace of terrorism from our homeland." | Following the attack, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said: "We are determined and resolved in our community to wipe out the menace of terrorism from our homeland." |
| Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, said: "Strongly condemn the terror attack at Bacha Khan University in Pakistan. Condolences to families of the deceased. Prayers with the injured." | Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, said: "Strongly condemn the terror attack at Bacha Khan University in Pakistan. Condolences to families of the deceased. Prayers with the injured." |
| Earlier, two explosions were heard inside the campus. Soldiers were seen entering the university as ambulances parked outside the main gate. | Earlier, two explosions were heard inside the campus. Soldiers were seen entering the university as ambulances parked outside the main gate. |
| Police said the militants managed to enter the campus buildings on Wednesday morning after scaling the walls of the university, which is situated 35km away from Peshawar. | Police said the militants managed to enter the campus buildings on Wednesday morning after scaling the walls of the university, which is situated 35km away from Peshawar. |
| “All students have been evacuated from the hostels, but militants are still hiding in different parts of the university and some students and staff are stuck inside,” said Mr Wazir, adding that 70 per cent of the students had been rescued. | “All students have been evacuated from the hostels, but militants are still hiding in different parts of the university and some students and staff are stuck inside,” said Mr Wazir, adding that 70 per cent of the students had been rescued. |
| Shabir Khan, a lecturer, was about to leave the hostel for the English department when the attack began. | Shabir Khan, a lecturer, was about to leave the hostel for the English department when the attack began. |
| “Most of the students and staff were in classes when the firing began.” | “Most of the students and staff were in classes when the firing began.” |
| “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,” said Mr Khan. | “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,” said Mr Khan. |
| The Bacha Khan University is named after the founder of a liberal, anti-Taliban political party. The party has in the past been targeted by the Pakistani Taliban for its anti-militant policies. | The Bacha Khan University is named after the founder of a liberal, anti-Taliban political party. The party has in the past been targeted by the Pakistani Taliban for its anti-militant policies. |
| Following the massacre of 134 school children in December 2014 in Peshawar, carried out by gunmen believed to be linked to the Pakistani Taliban, hundreds of suspected militants have been killed and arrested in a major crackdown. | Following the massacre of 134 school children in December 2014 in Peshawar, carried out by gunmen believed to be linked to the Pakistani Taliban, hundreds of suspected militants have been killed and arrested in a major crackdown. |
| Additional reporting by agencies | Additional reporting by agencies |