18 students killed in Pakistan school siege
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Gunmen dressed in security forces uniform kill 18 students at school in northwestern city of Peshawar
Gunmen have killed 10 students in an ongoing siege of a school in Pakistan's northwestern city of Peshawar on Tuesday morning, officials said.
Local hospital officials said 36 were also injured when the gunmen, dressed in security forces uniform, attacked a farewell party at the school.
According to local television channel Geo TV, a Pakistani Taliban faction has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Majid Bashir, whose two sons study in this school, told The Anadolu Agency that his son has informed him by phone that they took refuge inside the school when the gunmen took several students hostage in different classrooms.
"He is horrified. He could not speak properly. He just wanted me not to call him again so that he could not be located by gunmen," Bashir said, adding that his son has seen two students lying on ground in injured condition. A police officer present on the scene said five to six gunmen are inside the school.
Heavy contingents of army and police have cordoned off the area. Army commandos have since cleared a portion of school.
Muddasir Abbass, a laboratory assistant who was evacuated by soldiers, told reporters that six to seven gunmen were entering classrooms and firing at students. He said the school was hosting a party for students who had completed their examinations.
A student, Ahsan Mukthar, said the attackers had shot at students running towards the exit gate.
"I personally saw four of my classfellows lying in a pool of blood," he said. "They were taking many students and teachers hostage."
State minister Mushtaq Ghani said the attack is in retaliation to the army's anti-militant operations in the North Waziristan tribal area.
Anadolu Agency
Local hospital officials said 36 were also injured when the gunmen, dressed in security forces uniform, attacked a farewell party at the school.
According to local television channel Geo TV, a Pakistani Taliban faction has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Majid Bashir, whose two sons study in this school, told The Anadolu Agency that his son has informed him by phone that they took refuge inside the school when the gunmen took several students hostage in different classrooms.
"He is horrified. He could not speak properly. He just wanted me not to call him again so that he could not be located by gunmen," Bashir said, adding that his son has seen two students lying on ground in injured condition. A police officer present on the scene said five to six gunmen are inside the school.
Heavy contingents of army and police have cordoned off the area. Army commandos have since cleared a portion of school.
Muddasir Abbass, a laboratory assistant who was evacuated by soldiers, told reporters that six to seven gunmen were entering classrooms and firing at students. He said the school was hosting a party for students who had completed their examinations.
A student, Ahsan Mukthar, said the attackers had shot at students running towards the exit gate.
"I personally saw four of my classfellows lying in a pool of blood," he said. "They were taking many students and teachers hostage."
State minister Mushtaq Ghani said the attack is in retaliation to the army's anti-militant operations in the North Waziristan tribal area.
Anadolu Agency
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