TTP militants attack school in Peshawar, killing 145 people, including 132 children; International condemnation for Peshawar terrorist attack; Pakistani military airstrikes in Khyber Agency; IED targets PML-N leader in Peshawar; PML-Q leader shot dead in Islamabad; Army chief addresses passing out parade in Quetta, Balochistan; U.S.-Pakistan strategic dialogue to be held in late January, claims report; Germany willing to help Pakistan, Afghanistan in mending relations, claims German envoy; IDPs’ repatriation process to begin on January 1,2015; Government sincere about setting up judicial commission, claims Prime Minister’s spokesperson.
Peshawar School Attack
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On December 16, six to seven heavily armed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants attacked and laid siege to the Army Public School on Warsak road in Peshawar. At least 145 people, including 132 children, ten staff members and three soldiers, were killed in the attack and over a hundred others were injured. In the following military rescue operation that lasted several hours, 15 blasts were reported in addition to gunfire from within the school premises. Seven militants were reported dead at the end of the operation. TTP spokesperson Muhammad Khurasani claimed responsibility for the attack and said that the attack was revenge for Pakistani military operations targeting innocent tribesmen in South Waziristan, North Waziristan and Khyber Agency. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif reached Peshawar in order to personally supervise the rescue operation and monitor the situation in Peshawar. Prime Minister Sharif further declared a three-day countrywide mourning period after the attack which he described as a “national tragedy unleashed by savages.” Prime Minister Sharif also vowed that Pakistan would continue its fight against terrorism until it was completely wiped out from the country. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan strongly condemned the terrorist attack and postponed his party’s countrywide protests scheduled for December 18.[1]
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The terrorist attack in Peshawar drew condemnations from many international leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, U.S. President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron. Indian Prime Minister Modi termed the attack “a senseless act of unspeakable brutality” and offered the country’s deepest condolences to Pakistan. President Obama also reiterated the U.S. government’s support to Pakistan in combatting terrorism and promoting peace in the region. The attack was also condemned by Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief Hafiz Saeed who claimed that the attack was carried out by the enemies of Islam and that the militants were barbarians operating under the name of jihad.[2]
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On December 16, Afghan Taliban spokesman, Zabiullah Mujahid, released a statement condemning the Peshawar school attack conducted by TTP. Mujahid stated that intentional killing of innocent people, children and women is against the basics of Islam and that this tenet has to be considered by every Islamic party and government.[3]
Militancy
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On December 16, the Pakistani military carried out several raids including ten airstrikes in Khyber Agency in response to the terrorist attack in Peshawar.[4]
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On December 16, a roadside improvised explosive device (IED) detonated near the vehicle of Amir Muqam, an advisor to Prime Minister Sharif, in Peshawar. Muqam was returning from a visit to the hospitalized victims of the Peshawar school attack. Muqam survived the attack while two of his guards were injured.[5]
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On December 16, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) leader, Chaudhry Sarwar, was shot dead by unknown assailants in Islamabad.[6]
Foreign Affairs
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According to a December 16 Dawn report, U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is expected to arrive in Islamabad in late January, around the time of U.S. President Barack Obama’s visit to India, for the next session of the U.S.-Pakistan Strategic Dialogue. The strategic dialogue, which provides a platform for discussion on key issues, was restarted in 2014 following a gap of 18 months.[7]
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On December 15, German Ambassador to Pakistan, Dr. Cyrill Nunn, declared that a stable Afghanistan is in Pakistan’s interests and that Germany was ready to help the two countries in strengthening their relationship. Nunn also said that Germany would continue to support the Afghan government in its development efforts by providing training to Afghan security personnel and civil servants.[8]
Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs)
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According to a December 16 report in The News, the repatriation process of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Bara sub-district of Khyber Agency will begin on January 1, 2015 and will be completed by January 25, 2015. An Assistant Political Agent for Bara, Muhammad Nasir Khan, further added that damaged infrastructure will be reconstructed after IDPs settle down in the area.[9]
Political Crisis
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On December 15, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson, Mussadiq Malik, declared that the government was sincere in its intentions of setting up a judicial commission as per PTI chief Imran Khan’s demand. Malik, however, advised Khan against pursuing the politics of provocation because it could affect the dialogue process between the PTI and the government.[10]