Eight schoolteachers killed in ghastly attack in KP's Kurram district

Eight schoolteachers killed in ghastly attack in KP's Kurram district

Pakistan

Condemnations come from far and wide

UPPER KURRAM (Dunya News) – Unidentified assailants on Thursday killed eight schoolteachers in Parachinar in two incidents, prompting the Kohat board to cancel the ongoing matriculation examination. 

According to police, unidentified persons opened fire on teachers who were on exam duty in Teri Mengal school’s staff room. In the other instance, teacher Muhammad Sharif had been killed while he was travelling on Shalozan Road. 

Police launched a search operation to find the attackers and rescue authorities shifted the dead bodies to Parachinar hospital.

Advisor to KP interim government on education Rehmat Salam Khattak said the new schedule for matric examination would be announced after things reverted to normal.

Condemnations 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the incident and sought for a report from the authorities concerned.

The PM expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of life caused by the firing in Kurram district. He also offered his condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for the quick recovery of those injured in the incident.

The PM directed the relevant authorities to provide a detailed report of the incident. He stressed that those responsible for this heinous act should be brought to justice as soon as possible.

President Dr Arif Alvi condemned the incident and prayed for forgiveness of victims. 

NA Speaker Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and NA Deputy Speaker Akram Durrani also condemned the attack and demanded "strict action" against those "trying to sabotage peace".

PTI senior vice president Fawad Chaudhry took to Twitter to highlight the "political void" which resulted in "the rise in terrorism". He wrote that the PTI's attempts to eradicate terrorism were "overturned in the last one year".

PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari also expressed his anguish while condemning the incident and demanded that the authorities take action against the attackers.