DAWN.COM

Today's Paper | December 23, 2024

Published 22 Jan, 2016 06:50am

15 suspects held in aftermath of university carnage

PESHAWAR: National flag flying at half mast on the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly building on Thursday on the day of national mourning for lives lost during the militants’ attack on the Bacha Khan University of Charsadda.—PPI

CHARSADDA: Police and security forces have arrested 15 suspects during search operations carried out after Wednesday’s attack on the Bacha Khan University.

The death toll from the carnage rose to 21 after Mohammad Fayyaz, an employee of the university, succumbed to his injuries in Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital on Thursday morning.

An FIR was registered against the four attackers at the Sardheri police station in Charsadda. They were eliminated during a military-led operation at the university.

Charsadda DPO Sohail Khalid told reporters that 10 of the suspects had been arrested by police during search operations in the vicinity of the university. Another five suspects were picked up by security forces.

He claimed that the arrested men had links with militants.


FIR lodged against attackers; death toll rises to 21


The DPO said police had obtained CCTV footages and other evidence from the university for investigation.

He claimed that prior to the attack the district police had issued an advisory to all educational institutions to enhance their security. The BKU administration was also advised a deputy superintendent of police to improve the university’s security.

Mr Khalid said that at present the university was being guarded by police. He said police would soon discuss the matter with heads of all public and private educational institutions in the district.

The FIR against the four attackers was lodged by the SHO of Sardheri police station under the Pakistan Panel Code, Explosives Act, Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Arms Act.

Security officials said that two of the attackers had been identified – one belonged to Sararogha area of South Waziristan and the other was a resident of Swat. The other two were underage and there was no record of their nationality.

Meanwhile, Dr Fazl Rahim Marwat, Vice Chancellor of BKU, announced that the university would open on Monday. All other educational institutions will open on Friday.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2016

Read Comments

May 9 riots: Military courts hand 25 civilians 2-10 years’ prison time Next Story