One year ago today, seven armed members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) entered the Army Public School in the city of Peshawar, Pakistan, and slaughtered 144 people. Most of the victims of the massacre—the deadliest extremist attack in Pakistan’s history—were children aged between 12 and 16.
The TTP released a video claiming responsibility for the attack, and stating that those killed were the children of military personnel, and not civilians.
All seven perpetrators were killed during a Pakistani special forces mission, which rescued 960 people. Earlier this month, four militants alleged to be involved in the massacre by aiding the attackers were reportedly hanged.
One year on, victims’ families and politicians joined students and celebrities in remembering the day at a ceremony attended by 2,500 people and broadcast live on state television.
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif addressed the victims directly, saying: "My children, today I make this promise to you, that I will take revenge for every drop of your blood."
On social media, Pakistanis changed their profile pictures to a photo of the school’s uniform with a bullet hole resembling a poppy on it. The hashtag #CantForgetPeshawarAttack is also being used on Twitter in remembrance of the dead.
However there was some controversy, when two news anchors on Pakistan’s GEO News wore the uniform as a mark of respect. The president of GEO Entertainment, Aamir Liaquat Husain, resigned in protest of their actions.
Did Geo TV make the right call when it made its anchors wear APS uniforms on the anniversary pic.twitter.com/W8s2EupFEh
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) December 16, 2015
Apologies to those mothers who are watching GEO news on this day & get hurt by seeing uniforms that bring painful memories #APSMartyrs
— Aamir Liaquat Husain (@AamirLiaquat) December 15, 2015
See some of the tributes below, via Twitter.
Some stains don't wash out. #CantForgetPeshawarAttack pic.twitter.com/AjqK0VUPnm
— Nαвəəℓ Қнαη™ (@hyp3rfr3ak) December 16, 2015
Dear Kids, your are still and will always be in our prayers because " Some Stains Don't Wash out" #NationFightsBack pic.twitter.com/uTMB2WHLSs
— mahakhan741 (@mahakhan741) December 16, 2015
#CantForgetPeshawarAttack pic.twitter.com/PpHko52nzO
— MuBeen_SHaH (@muhammadxxx209) December 16, 2015
