Eleven years ago, this dark day brought immense pain and sorrow for the families of innocent martyrs of the Army Public School (APS), Peshawar, where their loved ones were brutally massacred in a deadly terrorist attack that wounded the hearts of every Pakistani.
The attack that left around 147 students and teachers, including the APS principal, martyred and many injured, had left the entire nation grieved.
Known as a black day in the country’s history, 16th December 2014 was a dreadful day for the Sharif Gul’s family, whose elder son Hassnain Sharif, who was a 10th grade student at APS Peshawar, was martyred in a horrific guns attack along with 132 other students, which put the entire nation in deep shock.
“11 years ago on this fateful day, my elder son Hussain Sharif, who had a great desire to join Pakistan Army as SSG Commando, wake early in the morning, offered Fajr prayer, recited Holy Quran as per his routine daily practice and left for school after a motherly kiss on his forehead by his mother,” Sharif Gul recalled with sobbing eyes.
“Hassnain was my obedient, intelligent, and disciplined son. To fulfill his dream wish, I shifted along with family to Peshawar and admitted him at APS, where he showed outstanding results in academic, sports, and cocurricular activities,” he recalled.
“I was busy with routine office work at Peshawar when my colleagues informed me about a terrorist attack at APS. I rushed towards Warsak Road. Later at night, I was informed that Hassnain had been martyred”, Sharif Gul, with tears rolling down his face, told APP. He said that although Hasnain was not with us today but his noble mission would be completed. Sharif Gul said that Pakistan is our country, and if it needs my blood or more sons, we are ready to sacrifice for our beloved homeland.
The APS attack remains one of the most painful incidents in Pakistan’s history when about six terrorists dressed in military uniforms entered the school premises and opened indiscriminate fire at students, teachers, and staff.
Principal Army Public School Shaheed Tahira Qazi and other teachers stood in front of the terrorists as a rock wall to protect their students and sacrificed their lives.
The brave security forces of Pakistan, immediately after the attack, surrounded the school and killed all the terrorists after a successful operation, and saved many precious lives of students and their teachers.
The terrorists’ attack at APS had proved a defining moment in the country’s history. It united the entire nation against the menace of terrorism, said Hamaza Khan, PMLN Nowshera President, while talking to APP.
He said the cowardly terrorists wanted to eliminate education, knowledge, and learning by attacking the students in the school, who were the future of Pakistan.
However, the enemy of education could not dampen the morale of the nation in Pakistan, where people of every school of thought strongly rejected terrorism in all forms and manifestations.
He said a strong message was given to supporters of terrorism by the school administration after the reopening of APS in a couple of days after the attack and studies restarted there. APS tragedy has led to the formulation of a clear policy and consensus plan in the form of the “National Action Plan” to combat terrorism.
“Hats off to the survivor students of APS who despite the horrific attack had continued their studies and inspired many due to their indomitable courage, willpower and professional commitment by earning a great name for the country within and abroad.”
Ahmad Nawaz, a brave son of Peshawar, who survived APS massacre on December 16, 2014, inspired thousands of people in 2023 after becoming the youngest President of the prestigious Oxford University’s Union in London with a history going back to 1825.
Born at the resident of Muhammad Nawaz at Peshawar, Ahmad Nawaz, who received multiple bullet wounds during APS horrific terrorist attack, had won the Oxford University’s Union election after defeating his two opponents. Ahmad Nawaz’s brother Haris Nawaz was also martyred in the attack.
“Ahmad Nawaz is a symbol of indomitable courage, willpower and a brave son of Pakistan. His success in the Oxford University’s union election showed that every goal can be achieved with a strong determination, belief in own abilities and willpower,’ said Professor Dr Zahid Anwar of Political Science Department at the University of Peshawar.
Despite passing of 11 years since the tragic incident, the memory of this horrific bloodshed was still fresh in the minds of every Pakistani and their sacrifices would always be remembered in the country with golden words.
The people and relatives came to the residences of the victims and offered fateha.