Bacha Khan University attack's probe report alleges VC, security in-charge of negligence
Findings suggest that as many as eight guards were absent from their duties
CHARSADDA (Dunya News) – Investigation committee formed to probe Bacha Khan University attack has compiled its report which holds vice chancellor and security incharge responsible for negligence, Dunya News reported Saturday.
A three-member committee was formed earlier with a purpose to get clarity on security situation of the university at the time of attack on January 20.
Findings suggest that as many as eight guards were absent from their duties when attackers stormed Bacha Khan University taking advantage of dense fog.
The university had not informed the district administration about special routine followed on the day of attack pertaining to anniversary of Bacha Khan. At least 19 security guards were appointed around the university campus however, four were absent while four ran away after hearing gun fires.
Click: Dunya News obtains CCTV footage of Bacha Khan University attack
Phone record investigated by the committee, comprising of Peshawar Commissioner, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Saeed Wazir and Higher Education Commission (HEC) Special Secretary proves fleeing of four personnel after the attack.
Report states that the vice chancellor had left the security responsibility with a PhD professor without discussing the matter with the syndicate. Reportedly, the professor was not trained to deal with complexities of the given job.
At the time of attack, security guards were in possession of as many as 41 weapons of different kinds including thirty short guns, five Kalashnikovs and six rifles. According to the university administration, police were called repeatedly however, they arrived with an hour delay.
Until then, security guards present at the attack site countered the insurgents fearlessly.
The committee has recommended sacking Bacha Khan University Vice Chancellor Fazal Raheem Marwat and security incharge Ashfaq Ahmed. Former security personnel have been recommended by the committee to be hired on daily-wage basis.
Another recommendation forwarded by the three-member committee is to install security cameras and establishing a control room in the university.
On January 20, four militants had entered Bacha Khan University in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Charsadda in the early hours and opened fire. As many as 21 lives were lost in the insurgency while several wounded.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Chief Minister (CM) Pervez Khattak and different provincial ministers were out of the country at the time. The Chief Minister cut short his United Kingdom (UK) visit and returned on directives of Prime Minister (PM) Nawaz Sharif.
CM Khattak demanded the government to talk eye-to-eye with India and Afghanistan to curb terrorism and interference on Pakistani soil.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif visited the university the same day and inquired about health of the injured in Charsadda hospital.
After the attack, the much talked about foreign secretary-level dialogue between Pakistan and India, scheduled on January 15 was delayed. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif accepted today while talking to the media in Lahore that Charsadda attack has affected talks between the two neighbours.
This was the second major attack on an education institution after Peshawar Army Public School (APS) in December 2014 that claimed more than 140 lives, mostly children.
