5th anniversary of APS Peshawar carnage observed: PM Imran vows militant mindset not to be allowed to take nation hostage

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan pledged on Monday not to allow any militant mindset to take the country and nation hostage for its bigoted vision.

“Today, we remember and pray for the survivors and victims of APS (Army Public School) Peshawar incident. The blood of the innocent united the nation against all forms of extremism, terrorism, violence and hatred,” he said in a message on the 5th anniversary of the APS Peshawar incident.

The Prime Minister added: “On this day while paying tribute to our young martyrs, we also laud the sacrifices of our armed forces, police and law-enforcing agencies in the fight against the scourge of terrorism.”

In a separate message, President Dr Arif Alvi reiterated the pledge to root out terrorism and extremism in all its forms and manifestations from the country.

“The nation cannot forget the massacre of little angels/teachers of APS (Army Public School) five years ago on this day. Hard to commemorate this day without tears in one’s eyes,” the President said in a tweet, posted on his social media account. “In its remembrance, we reiterate our pledge to root out terrorism and extremism in all its manifestations from our country,” he said.

While Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa said the APS carnage would never be forgotten. Gen Bajwa’s remark were shared by Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Maj-Gen Asif Ghafoor on Twitter.

“Five of the involved terrorists have been hanged through military courts,” the Army chief said as he offered a “salute to the martyrs and their families”. “We have come a long way in failing terrorism as a nation. United we move towards lasting peace and prosperity of Pakistan,” he added.

A special ceremony was held on Monday for the martyrs of the APS attack, said the ISPR. The military’s media wing said a contingent of the Pakistan Army presented a guard of honour at the school.

Peshawar Corps Commander Lt-Gen Nauman Mahmood laid a floral wreath at the martyrs’ monument and offered Fateha for the departed souls. Later, he took part in Quran Khawani, which was attended by the families of the martyrs, school children and staff. Lt-Gen Mahmood also met the families of the martyrs.