Two children were killed, and five others injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on a school van in the Dheri Kot area of Attock District on Thursday, according to Punjab Rescue 1122.
The school van’s driver was also injured, bringing the total number of injured to six. The injured, along with the bodies of the deceased, have been taken to a hospital.
The attackers fled the scene, but Attock police have arrived at the site of the incident, as per Rescue 1122. Preliminary reports indicate that all the children were between 10 and 12 years old.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz Alpa stated that the incident stemmed from “personal enmity.”
“The gunfire was directed at the driver, but unfortunately, the children were also harmed,” RPO Sarfraz said. He added that a case has been registered against the suspects, and raids are being conducted to apprehend them.
RPO Sarfraz expressed confidence that the culprits would be caught soon.
Condemnations have poured in President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the incident, calling for strict action against those responsible, according to a statement from the President House.
“Targeting innocent children is a heinous and shameful act,” the statement read.
He offered prayers for the deceased and wished a speedy recovery for the injured children.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has requested a report on the incident from Inspector General of Police Dr. Usman Anwar, according to a statement issued by her public relations officer.
She expressed deep sorrow over the deaths of the two students and directed that the injured receive the best possible treatment.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said his “heart is weeping tears of blood” after learning of the children’s deaths.
“Those who spill the blood of students are nothing short of beasts,” the PPP MNA said in a statement shared by his party on X.
Bilawal expressed solidarity with the grieving families, praying for their strength. He also expressed hope that the injured children and the driver would receive proper medical care.
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