At least two girls were killed and six others, including five children, were injured when unidentified gunmen opened fire on a school van in northwest Pakistan on Thursday.
The attack took place in the Dheri Kot area, bordering Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Punjab provinces, in Attock district. The children, aged between 10 and 11 were killed in the attack.
The kids were on their way to school when the gunmen opened fire on the school van. According to police, five children and the van driver were critically injured.
Regional Police Officer (RPO) Babar Sarfraz Alpa said the incident occurred due to "personal enmity". A case had been registered against a person for his alleged involvement in the attack.
“The gunfire was aimed at the driver but also caused harm to the children,” the RPO said. He said that a search is underway to arrest the suspects.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, calling it a cruel and gruesome act, and expressed solidarity with the bereaved families. He directed the authorities concerned to take stern action against the culprits and to provide the best treatment facilities to the injured children.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has also conveyed his sympathies to the bereaved families.
President Asif Ali Zardari also strongly condemned the incident and assured strict action against those responsible. "Targeting innocent children is a cruel and shameful act," he said.
