Future architects of nation continue to be targeted

Several more aspiring to contribute to country’s development meet an early fate

PESHAWAR: Yet another incident of terrorism at an educational institution of the country claimed several previous lives – of students in pursuit of academic excellence which would contribute to the country’s development.

Qasim Ali Shah, hailing from the Frontier Region in Dera Ismail Khan, was among the students who lost their lives in the attack on the Agriculture Training Institute (ATI) on Friday morning.

He had completed course work in a three-year-diploma of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) but was waiting for his viva exams, scheduled to be held on December 5. He preferred to stay in the hostel because of this exam while other students left for home at the start of extended holiday starting from Friday.



When the terrorists attacked the institute, Qasim was out for a walk in the lawn, but he became a target of firing by terrorists just as he exited his room.

“It was too difficult for me to arrange funds for his education,” Abdullah Shah, the father, told media persons. “I sold firewood my whole life to feed my family and save enough money for his education.”

He said, “My son was killed just when he was about to support his family. For me, they (terrorists) have snatched away my support.”

Qasim was the eldest of seven siblings, including four sisters. His funeral prayers were offered in his native town of Darzenda, where thousands of people, including officials of the political administration and local elders, participated.

The people later converged on the home of the victim’s family, offering condolences.

Local elders said: “We have to defeat the terrorists … lets us all support the grieving father and help him educate his surviving daughters and sons.”

They also urged the government to help the victim’s family head educate his other children.

Bilal Ahmad was a second-year student at the institute and was also close to getting a diploma in veterinary medicine. He left his home in Shangla two months ago. He was fourth among five sons of Hussain Ahmad, a schoolteacher.

“For how long people will continue to render such sacrifices,” his father said. “The entire nation must stand united and find ways to defeat terrorism and provide justice to the families of the victims.”

This young man was laid to rest in his native village Lelonai, Khwar Kalay in Shangla.

Abdus Sadiq belonged to Dasu in Kohistan. He came to Peshawar two years ago to pursue a diploma in agriculture and was happy when he got selected among hundreds of applicants, brother Salil Khan said. He preferred spending extended vacations at the hostel because his home was too far away.



 Amin Jan, the youngest among six brothers and sisters, was also pursuing a diploma in agriculture and was a second year student in the institute. His mortal remains were laid to rest in his native town in the Ghani Khel area of Domail in Bannu. Thousands of people from across the district attended the funeral prayers for the 20-year-old.

 Abdul Hameed, the first victim of the attack, was serving as security guard at the institute. He lived in the Budhani area of Peshawar. Hameed, 58, tried to open fire on the attackers, but he was soon overpowered.

Taj Wali, the brother of the deceased, said that the entire family was in shock over his death, but they all believed that he sacrificed his life to protect students.

Wali said he had been serving as a security guard at the training institute for the past 25 years and was just six months away from his retirement. He was laid to rest in Budhani village by a large number of people, including local elders and politicians. He left a grieving widow, two sons and a daughter.

Other student victims of the terrorist attack on the institute include Zarzamin Khan, who was laid to rest in village Kalapani in Buner.

Muhmmad Wasim’s funeral prayers were offered at Kalya in the Orakzai Agency in FATA.

Bilal, son of Khairul Bashar, was laid to rest in village Tikni, Lower Dir.

Bilal Arif’s funeral prayers were held at Oghi in Mansehra.