M. M. ALAM
PESHAWAR: Nine people (including six students) lost lives and 37 got injured, when three burqa-clad militants attacked the hostel of Agricultural Training Institute (ATI) today here at 8.35am.
It has been insinuated that conspiracy for the attack was hatched across the border.
Sources have further informed that the terrorists (having Afghan lineaments) had contacted their handlers in Afghanistan by means of Whatsapp.
Meanwhile, TTP has claimed responsibility for the attack.
According to details those injured include seven students, a guard, one FC soldier, one police officer and a journalist.
Government has announced financial assistance of Rs. one million each for the families of those killed. Severely injured will be given half a million rupees each while others will get Rs. 200,000 each.
After the conclusion of operation two hand grenades and three (ball-bearing-filled) suicide jackets were recovered. According to reports attackers were wearing the jackets but failed to detonate them.
That shows the number of casualties could have multiplied if police had not reached the scene of crime in time and neutralized the attackers instantaneously. The TTP terrorists, who were wearing shuttle-cock burqaz, used rickshaw to enter ATI premises! After shooting the chowkidaar (guarding the gate) dead, two terrorists entered the hostel and resorted to indiscriminate firing.
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