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A senseless act of terror transpired in Pakistan on Thursday, as a school bus became the target of a deadly shooting spree. The attack, perpetrated by unknown gunmen, resulted in the death of two young girls and left five of their peers fighting for their lives, police confirmed.
The ill-fated school bus was ferrying students to their morning classes in the town of Attock, nestled in the heart of Punjab province, when the unthinkable happened.
According to police official Usman Haider, the attackers struck without warning, shattering the tranquility of the morning commute.
The tragedy was compounded by the tender age of the victims, all of whom were between five and 10 years old. As police official Usman Haider delved deeper into the investigation, a possible motive began to emerge: a bitter family feud that may have boiled over into violence.
“We are also looking into the possibility of terrorism,” the officer said.
President Asif Ali Zardari of Pakistan wasted no time in condemning the heinous attack, and his office issued a statement urging police to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of the gunmen responsible.
Read also: Gunmen Ambush Military Outpost In Ebonyi, Leave Two Dead
The country has witnessed a string of attacks by Islamist militants on educational institutions, with students at schools, colleges, and universities being specifically targeted in the past.
A dark pattern of Islamist militancy has surfaced in Pakistan, characterized by targeted attacks on educational institutions, including schools, colleges, and universities, where students have been subjected to violence and trauma.
The attack bears a haunting resemblance to a 2012 incident in Swat, where a Taliban member targeted a school bus, perpetrating a senseless act of violence against innocent students.
The 2012 incident in Swat not only left a lasting scar but also gave the world a hero in Malala Yousafzai, who defied death and went on to receive the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014, inspiring millions with her steadfast commitment to education and peace.
