PAF pays homage to APS martyrs

PESHAWAR: Three JF-17 Thunders of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) flew over the Army Public School (APS) at a low altitude to salute the martyrs of the December 16 terrorist attack.The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) adopted a unique way to present a tribute to the martyrs and surviving students of the schools on the directives of Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt.
A large number of students, teachers and the parents who had gathered at the school for this unique event witnessed the flypast by the PAF JF-17 Thunders and expressed the resolve that they would attend the school despite all the designs of terrorists.
The highly charged and motivated students chanted slogans in favour of Pakistan and PAF.The air chief in his special message to the students of APS lauded their courage for resuming their studies after the terrorist attack. He stated that the sacrifice of the students would not go waste.
He reiterated his resolve to fight against the enemies of the country. He said the-fly past was a clear manifestation of PAF’s resolve to fight the menace of terrorism as the air force is playing a lead role in the ongoing military operation Zarb-e-Azb.
He said the nation stands united and resolute to rid of the country of terrorism. The APS reopened on January 12 after the gory incident in which around 150 people, mostly schoolchildren, were massacred by the Taliban militants.
Formal studies in the institution have yet to start. Politicians, members of the civil society organisations are still visiting the school to pay homage to the martyred students and boost the morale of survivors.
A teacher said they would continue activity-based studies for two weeks so that the children could get over the painful memories of the brutal incident. At the end of the event, the students sang the national anthem with a renewed vigour and resolve to fight terrorism. The students and faculty members termed it a historical event arranged by the PAF.