Nine people have been murdered and dozens injured after Taliban terrorists stormed an agricultural college wearing burkas.
Police said four burka-clad terrorists opened fire on the gates of the Agriculture Training Institute, in Peshawar, injuring the guard before making their way inside.
The attack occurred as Pakistan marks the birthday of Muhammad, who Muslims around the world consider the central prophet of their faith.
Peshawar Police Chief Muhammad Tahir Khan said three gunmen had been killed and that security forces were carrying out a clearance operation inside the building to track down any remaining militants.
Noor Wali, a 19-year-old student at the institute, described a terrifying ordeal that began when he was woken by gunshots. ‘I rushed to the door and saw a fountain of blood pumping out of the shoulder of my roommate who was standing outside the room,’ he said. Pictured: Soldiers stand guard at the scene after the horrific terrorist murders
Police said four burka-clad terrorists opened fire on the gates of the Agriculture Training Institute, in Peshawar, injuring the guard before making their way inside. Pictured: Bullet holes in the walls of the college
Peshawar Police Chief Muhammad Tahir Khan said three gunmen had been killed and that security forces were carrying out a clearance operation inside the building to track down for any remaining militants. Pictured: A wounded boy is stretchered away from the scene
Spokeswomen for two hospitals in the city said they had seen a total of nine bodies and were treating some 38 injured people, including several in critical condition. Pictured: A young girl weeps after the shocking assault
A spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Muhammad Khurasani, claimed responsibility for the attack. ‘Our mujahids have attacked the building because it was used as office for ISI, God willing our fighters will fight till the last drop of blood,’ he said, referring to Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence agency
Rescue workers assist an injured student from the shooting at the Directorate of Agriculture Institute in Peshawar, in which at least nine people have been murdered
The area where the incident occurred is a hub for educational institutions in the city including the University of Peshawar. Pictured: A rescue worker points at bullet holes in the school
‘The clearance operation is under way,’ he said.
Spokeswomen for two hospitals in the city said they had seen a total of nine bodies and were treating some 38 injured people, including several in critical condition.
A spokesman for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, Muhammad Khurasani, claimed responsibility for the attack.
‘Our mujahids have attacked the building because it was used as office for ISI, God willing our fighters will fight till the last drop of blood,’ he said, referring to Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence agency.
Noor Wali, a 19-year-old student at the institute, described a terrifying ordeal that began when he was woken by gunshots.
‘I rushed to the door and saw a fountain of blood pumping out of the shoulder of my roommate who was standing outside the room,’ he said.
He and another student rushed to his aid, and hid from the gunmen for almost an hour before they were rescued by security forces.
‘The other student was pressing the wound with his hands to stop the blood and I had to put my hand on his mouth so that he cannot scream,’ he said.
An interior ministry official said that cellular networks had been suspended in various cities across the country for security reasons. Pictured: Security personnel rush to the area after the attack
The country is tense after weeks-long anti-blasphemy protests in Islamabad that saw seven killed and hundreds wounded in clashes with police. Pictured: Rescue workers outside the college today
Violence erupted over the weekend after police and paramilitary forces launched a bungled attempt to clear the sit-in, igniting fresh demonstrations in cities across the country, including in Lahore and Karachi. Pictured: Security personnel on the scene
Pakistani Army soldiers secure the scene after the savage attack on the agricultural college in Peshawar today
‘We took shelter inside the bedroom and were begging the injured student not to make any sound as the terrorists might hear it and kill us.’
The area where the incident occurred is a hub for educational institutions in the city including the University of Peshawar.
An interior ministry official said that cellular networks had been suspended in various cities across the country for security reasons.
The incident comes amid tight security across Pakistan as it celebrates the birthday of Mohammed.
Medical staff rush Pakistani security personnel who were injured to a nearby hospital during the crackdown operation against the burka-clad terrorists who stormed the college
Pakistani troops rush to the agriculture institute after the devastating terror attack this morning, which has been claimed by Taliban terrorists
The country is tense after weeks-long anti-blasphemy protests in Islamabad that saw seven killed and hundreds wounded in clashes with police.
Violence erupted over the weekend after police and paramilitary forces launched a bungled attempt to clear the sit-in, igniting fresh demonstrations in cities across the country, including in Lahore and Karachi.
The protests finally ended just days ago under a military-brokered deal.
In December 2014, a Taliban attack on the army-run school in Peshawar killed 151 people, mostly schoolchildren.