Nation observes 11th anniversary of APS, Peshawar tragedy

Today is the 11th anniversary of the massacre that took place at Army Public School (APS), Peshawar, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.

It was on this day, on December 16, 2014 that terrorists stormed the APS and killed 147 people, including 132 children.

The incident not only shocked the nation but also the entire world.

Condolences poured in from across the world.

It also led to a massive operation against terrorists in KP and their collaborators in Punjab and Sindh.

Paying rich tributes to the martyrs of the APS, Peshawar, President Asif Ali Zardari said that the nation would never forget their sacrifices. “We salute the courage of the families of the martyrs.”

He further said that Pakistan’s resolve to fight against terrorism was unshakable. “No leniency will be shown towards terrorists, their financers as well as their collaborators.”

He also ruled out the possibility of talks with those taking up arms against the state. “We strongly condemn Indian-sponsored terrorism,” he said, and added, “Pakistan will continue to expose its enemies.”

At the same time, the president went on to say, the country’s security forces and the law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) also deserved appreciation for foiling the terrorists’ attempts to create instability in the country. “We will go after each and every terrorist and his collaborator. And we will never allow the enemies of peace to succeed,” Zardari vowed.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in his message, said that today was the day to pay homage to the martyrs of the APS, who laid down their lives for the future of their country. “The incident was a test of the nation’s resolve,” he said, and added, “Despite the fact that the nation was in a state of shock and grief, its resolve to fight terrorists never waned.”

The prime minister was of the view that the families of the martyrs would only get justice when terrorism would be eliminated from the country.

Paying rich tributes to those who lost their lives on that ill-fated day, Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi said that the APS tragedy was the darkest chapter in the country’s history.

He said it was after this incident that the nation reached the consensus that there would be zero tolerance against terrorists. “The state is committed to eradicating terrorism,” Naqvi said, adding, “We will take the war against terrorism to its logical conclusion.”

Commenting on the martyrdom of children and teachers at the Army Public School in Peshawar, the Foreign Office (FO) said that their sacrifices reflected the nation’s resolve to fight against terrorism.

He said that Pakistan was taking effective measures at every level for the elimination of terrorism. “Despite the fact that terrorists are carrying out acts of terror from across the border, Pakistan has prevented the terror from spreading further,” it said, and added, “Pakistan reiterates its resolve to eliminate the save havens of terrorists.”

Reporters: Awais Kiani and Anwar Abbas