APS survivor becomes source of inspiration for nation

Terrorists opened fire on us but we will answer them with our pens, says Waleed, who was shot 8 times in massacre

PESHAWAR:

As the nation remembers its darkest hours on the eighth anniversary of the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar tragedy, the courageous words of a surviving student have become a source of inspiration for many.

"Eight years have passed since the APS incident, but our spirits are still high," said Waleed Khan, who was shot eight times during the massacre.

"The terrorists opened fire on us but we will answer them with our pens," he said while talking exclusively with The Express Tribune from Birmingham.

The brave student said that education is our weapon and we will definitely fulfil the mission.

Read more: APS survivor shines bright at Oxford platform

Waleed was shifted to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in London for treatment following the APS attack.

The APS attack took place on December 16, 2014, when six terrorists stormed the school martyring 147 – a figure which included both students and teachers. All six terrorists were later killed by security forces in a response attack.

Following the tragic APS incident, the government mapped out the National Action Plan to eliminate terrorism from the country.

On Wednesday, an event was held in memory of the martyrs of APS outside the Hyderabad Press Club by Isthakam Pakistan Organisation. People lit candles and offered prayers for the children, teachers and school staff martyred by terrorists in the horrific attack on December 16, 2014.

The Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry Senior Vice President Najamuddin Qureshi said that December 16 brings pangs of grief.

"Eight years have passed since the tragedy of APS Peshawar, but martyrs are still alive in our heart." Isthakam Pakistan Organisation Chairman Ahsan Naghar said on that bloodstained day of December 16, 2014, the Pakistani nation pledged to eliminate terrorists from the country.

The war against the perpetrators of the APS attack and those following their mindset continues.

Secretary of the organisation Naeem Akhtar Rizvi and Ahmad Ali Naghar said that this tragedy united the entire nation against the narrative of the terrorists.