Today marks the fourth anniversary of the devastating terrorist attack on Army Public School Peshawar.
On December 16, 2014, terrorists stormed the army-run school and martyred around 150 people, including more than 130 young students. The incident shook the country and resulted in the formation of a National Action Plan to stem extremism and terrorism in the country, as well as the creation of military courts to try 'hardcore' terrorists.
A ceremony to pay tribute to the martyrs and ghazis of APS was held at Warsak Road in Peshawar today. It started with a special prayer for the martyrs followed by the national anthem, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations said.
A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Army presented the guard of honour while Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Shah Farman laid a floral wreath at the martyrs’ monument and offered fateha for the departed souls.
Later, he joined the families of shuhada, school children and staff for Quran khawani at a school.
During his interaction with the families of shahuda, the governor said that the entire nation is standing shoulder to shoulder with the bereaved families. "APS tragedy united the nation against terrorism," he said.
Corps Commander Peshawar Lieutenant General Shaheen Mazhar Mehmood was also present at the ceremony.
Similar prayers and walks are also being held in other parts of the country in the memory of the victims.
