Schoolchildren flee as army soldiers conducting an exercise to repel militant attacks detain a mock-militant (R) at the Islamia Collegiate School in Peshawar, Pakistan February 02, 2016. PHOTO: REUTERS
PESHAWAR: Aerial firing during a security rehearsal at Islamia College and University in Peshawar on Tuesday spread panic among the students and teachers.
The drill was carried out in the backdrop of a terrorist attack on Bacha Khan University in Charsadda district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on January 20, which left at least 21 people dead.
An insider familiar with the matter told The Express Tribune that police and army officials were conducting a security rehearsal at the varsity to provide firearms training to students and teachers.
“Students ran out of their classes as they feared militants had stormed into the premises,” the source said.
School evacuated as attack rumours spark panic
According to a student Saddam Khan, many pupils inside the varsity’s building were unaware that a security rehearsal was being conducted at the campus.
“Students were worried after they heard firing,” he said. “We cannot concentrate on our studies in this kind of environment,” he added.
Another student, Latifullah, urged college administration to inform about such drills.
When contacted, Assistant Director Admissions Amir Azhar said students were informed of the rehearsal through a notification.
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