Daily Times

PESHAWAR: The second anniversary of worst terrorist attack on Army Public School (APS) Peshawar observed on Friday recalling the horror memories of the victim students, parents and teachers which are still fresh in the minds of the nation.

The educational, social and political organizations hold ‘Quran Khwani’, walks, seminars and other events throughout the country to express solidarity with the terror victims. The main event in this connection was held at Army Public School Peshawar which was attended by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General Police Nasir Durrani and other officials.

All the educational institutions in Peshawar and Mardan remain closed as part of security measures on the second anniversary of APS carnage. The KP Government has decided to construct a monument in the memory of the martyrs of APS Peshawar at Jinnah Park.

Earlier, the provincial government had also announced to construct a monument at Archives Library.

At least 144 people, including 130 students, were martyred in terrorist attack on the Army public school Peshawar on 16 December, 2014. Seven terrorists were also killed in the military operation in the school.

The victim students aged between six to 16 years. The APS attack is considered the worst and most painful terrorism incident in the country’s history.

Meanwhile, like other part of KP the education department Upper Dir holds a function in connection to remember the victims of the worst militants attack on Army Public School Peshawar at district Assembly Hall.

On this occasion District Education Officer (EDO) Mueenudin Khatak, district Nazim Sahibzada Fasihullah, Brigadier Amir Yaseen, officials, members of civil society and students participated in it.

EDO in his speech told that on 16 December 2014 the Taliban militants stormed the Army Public School in Peshawar where more than 150 people were killed in which 132 were children.

Amir Yaseen told that peace is important for education while education is vital for peace. He said that the Pak-Army is the guardians of the frontiers and helping the people in time of emergency. He said the Army is ready for any types of sacrifices to protect the homeland. Later on the officials prayed for the deported soles of the martyrs and for the bereaved families.

Extraordinary security measures adopted on 2nd anniversary of APS attack: On the second anniversary of the martyrs of Army Public School, Peshawar extraordinary security measures were adopted in tehsil Landi Kotal and additional Khasadar and Levies forces personnel were deployed on all entry and exit points here on Friday.

The political tehsildar, Landi Kotal Irshad Mohmand said that on the directions of high officials security was tightened on memorial day of APS martyrs to avoid any untoward incident.

The forces cantonment was sealed and no one was permitted to enter.

Similarly extra force was posted for the security of all Mosques during Jumma congregations and faithful were allowed to enter after body search. The Pesh imam(prayer leaders) were also instructed to perform the religious right before the scheduled time table.

Although holiday was observed in all public and government educational institutions throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, however, the students of state-run and private schools attended their classes in routine in Landi Kotal.

Meanwhile the APS martyrs day passed silently in Landi Kotal and no gathering was initiated even a prayer session was not taken place in students assembly in the Ammar public high school, named after the Shaheed student to pay homage to the Shaheed Ammar Shinwari, the martyred of APS, Peshawar from Landi Kotal.