Over 130 of the victims were students aged between 10 and 18.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was quick to claim responsibility for what is possibly the most gruesome attack in the history of the country.
There were no hostages, no ransom and no demand for negotiations. Militants went from classroom to classroom, spraying bullets indiscriminately. Worse, they taunted children in one English class, lining up eight of them and shooting them in front of their class fellows; in another they set alight their teacher on fire. Students were asked to recite the kalma before their final breath, while some played dead to survive the second round of fire.
According to the military spokesperson, 1,099 children and staffers were registered at the school. Around 960 students and staffers were rescued; 23 children were found hiding behind the school building after the operation.
Students who survived recount how their day started ordinarily – English class and career counseling in the auditorium – and ended in a bloodbath; the main hall littered with bullets, blood and bodies.
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It seems that the slaughter of children is a common theme in today's world. Peshawar, Cairns, Sandy Hook and too many others to remember, too many others to feel guilty about. Too many others to have enough tears for.
We need to take stock. If a belief is worthy of following, surely it should commend itself to our minds and hearts? If a belief is worthy of devotees, surely its strength must lie in its ability to appeal to our hearts? Is a system of belief that depends on terror, revenge, fear and intimidation, senseless killing of the defenceless and innocent- worthy of our adoration?
Is what has happened the result of distortions of a belief system by opportunists who know that rule, riches and power can be achieved at the instigation of force and with the subjugation and harnessing of the religious instinct?
Or has it happened because there is an inherent flaw in the system itself?
Is there a belief system that honours a universal prerogative of not believing, that leaves a person with the dignity of their own conscience?
be responsible pakistan ,masacre of 148 childrens was not just a dream ,nor just a play,a bitter horrible and deep grieved over that masacre,its pushtunes who are always tortured ,why i have a question to ask from people of pakistan,why don,t they stand up how long will we tolerate that messs,,,,,,,
@Fappy: Who comes to ET. People who can read and understand English. Too complicated to comprehend?
Remember this is an elite military school . So the use of English should not come as a surprise. I am not against Urdu but its common in the 'upper' echelons to speak in English .
@fappy was that all you can think of after the video, sad. what have we become
@Fappy, ET is an English newspaper. Those who visits this website speaks and understands English. Please take the message of this video, and get united against these monster, its not about speaking English or Urdu. best, C.
@pakistaniat: IRONIC nickname! how many people speak English in Pakistan? it should ve been in Urdu so more people could understand. Grow up yourself.
@Fappy: This is what was your conclusion from the message... grow up sir... its not about English or Urdu and now is not the time to even raise this point...
Very powerful message... Long live Pakistan....
its an english news paper,
@Fappy: You could have written your sentiment in Urdu too. Just saying.
The last part gave me goosebumps. Powerful stuff from these kids
What happened to Urdu? Elite much?