LANDI KOTAL: A middle school of the Bacha Khan Foundation was blown up by militants in Khuga Khel on Thursday night. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
According to reports, the school had been targeted with explosive material last year.
Inqelab Khan, the school’s watchman, told media persons that he was on duty with two other watchmen when armed men entered the school building and held them hostage.
He said they planted explosive devices in classrooms, which caused a huge blast, completely destroying seven classrooms and partially damaging the remaining part of the building.
The blast also broke the windows of houses in the neighbourhood, causing widespread panic among people.
Soon after the incident, the Khasadar force rushed to the spot and cordoned off the area for investigations.
However, investigators are already facing an unusual hindrance, as locals have expressed reservations on the use of sniffer dogs in the investigation, as they do not trust the reliability of the ‘un-Islamic’ animal in the process.
The political administration has held a watchman and his son for investigation and a sniffer dog was brought in to help trace the culprits. The Khasadar force has also arrested two suspects in a raid at Shakas, Jamrud, according to locals.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2011.
COMMENTS (7)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
The sad truth is that this is not the first time a school has been destroyed by the militants in the region. The number of schools destroyed is well into thousands, and it’s frightening to think that these terrorist do not even hesitate when it comes to little school going children. Therefore, we cannot afford to indulge in conspiracy theories and blame “foreign agents” especially when the truth continues to present itself over and over. Dear readers, please click on this link below and see how the US is in fact promoting education in Pakistan through various projects.
http://www.usaid.gov/pk/sectors/education/docs/ed_factsheet.pdf
On the other hand, these terrorists are fully focused on destabilizing the region and an attack on schools only gives us a glimpse of their evil mentality. For that reason, our alliance in the WOT becomes that much more important, and the need to eliminate the threat that continues to linger over the region holds the utmost importance. We are confident of getting back on track and shifting our focus back to achieving our common goals in the region. The past proves our resilience against terrorism, and our ability to work together and achieve great success. We are grateful that no children were hurt in this horrendous act of crime. We fully support Pakistan in its mission against these militants and wish to see the region free and clear of these acts of terror.
Now that the Americans have gone and all cooperation put in cold storage,it doesn't take any second guessing what these bearded barbarians want. They want the soul of Pakistan. And the Pakistani public in general are looking elsewhere. At this rate they can kiss the country goodbye. And also understand that there was another bomb blast today in Pakistan.
@Harry Stone: Probably examining a memo to the microscopic level claiming the meaning of life is in there somewhere.
Where are the protectors of national security?
Another day, another school goes up in smoke. Wonder if international development aid is poured into sub-standard "schools" and later blown up to cover corruption?