18 killed, dozens injured as Taliban attack school in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: At least eighteen persons mostly students were killed and dozens others injured when militants attacked an army-run school situated on Warsak Road in Peshawar Tuesday, officials said.

Five or six militants wearing military uniforms entered the Army Public School in the city of Peshawar, a source at the school told.

"There has been an incident of firing at Army Public School in Peshawar. Troops have cordoned off the area and (are) searching for the militants," a senior military official told.

The militants took students and teachers hostage while exchange of fire between the militants and security forces is underway.

Furthermore, the sources told that at least 35 injured including teachers and students were brought to the Lady Reading Hospital while 16 students, a teacher and security man succumbed to injuries. Emergency has been declared in the Peshawar hospital.

K-P Health Minister Shahram Khan Tarakai confirmed the toll.

The security sources told that three militants were also killed during the rescue operation.

Warsak Road was closed for all sorts of traffic while a vehicle was also set ablaze by the militants on the road.

The attack comes as the military wages a major offensive against Taliban and other militants in the tribal area of North Waziristan.

TTP claims attack

A spokesman for a faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack, saying the gunmen had been ordered to shoot older students but not children.

TTP spokesman Muhammad Khorasani told there were six attackers.

"They include target killers and suicide attackers. They have been ordered to shoot the older students but not the children," he said.

Source http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-168831-Taliban-storm-Army-school-in-Peshawar,-multiple-casualties,-mostly-children