7th anniversary of APS attack being observed today

Peshawar: 7th anniversary of the deadly terrorist attack on the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar that left around 150 people martyred, mostly schoolchildren, is being observed today.

On Dec 16, 2014, six terrorists affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had stormed the School and martyred one hundred and forty-seven students and teachers.

The deadliest attack in Pakistan’s history, the carnage prompted the government to declare an all-out war against terrorist outfits. In the wake of the attack, military courts were set up for trying terrorists under amendments made to the Constitution and the Army Act.

The mastermind of the APS massacre, Umar Mansour, alias Khalifa Mansour, alias Umar Naray, was killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan.

Seven years on -- despite the counter-terrorism National Action Plan (NAP) that was chalked out days after the APS massacre and other security strategies -- educational institutions in Khyber Pakhtunkhawa remain a relatively easy target for militants.

The massacre changed the perception of Pakistan against terrorism and people in the country raised voices for a uniformed action against all types of militants.

Following the attack, political parties and security departments formed a National Action Plan to stem extremism and terrorism.

Later, Pakistani Parliament unanimously approved the formation of military courts for speedy trials of the hardcore terrorists.

According to reports, since the school attack, at least 1,584 terrorists were arrested and sent to jail. Apart from it, 167 high profile terrorists with head money were also detained or killed.