2014 Peshawar school massacre

Terrorist attack in Peshawar, Pakistan May 2025 May 2025 2014 Peshawar school massacre Army Public School Auditorium.jpg Army Public School Auditorium, Peshawar, Pakistan 2014 Peshawar School Attack Location Map.png Location of the attack: Army Public School is located in the centre Army Public School Peshawar, Warsak Road, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan 34 00 49 N 71 32 10 E type:event_region:PK inline,title Students and staff at Army Public School Peshawar 2014 12 16 y 10:30 PKThttp://qz.com/313270/a-horrific-attack-at-a-peshawar-school-shows-where-the-heaviest-burden-of-terrorism-lies/ A horrific attack at a Peshawar school shows where the heaviest burden of terrorism lies 16 December 2014 QUARTZ India 16 December 2014 18 July 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180718084046/https://qz.com/313270/a-horrific-attack-at-a-peshawar-school-shows-where-the-heaviest-burden-of-terrorism-lies/ live 19:56 PKThttps://www.bbc.com/news/live/world-asia-30491113 As it happened: Pakistan school attack 16 December 2014 BBC 17 December 2014 UTC+05:00 Suicide bombing Murder-suicide, mass shooting, hostage-taking,Gunmen hold 500 students hostage in Pakistani city of Peshawar https://www.businessinsider.com/r-gunmen-hold-500-students-hostage-in-pakistani-city-of-peshawar-2014-12 Business Insider Reuters 17 December 2014 16 December 2014 28 June 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200628052442/https://www.businessinsider.com/r-gunmen-hold-500-students-hostage-in-pakistani-city-of-peshawar-2014-12 dead school shooting 155 (including the six perpetrators)Pakistan raises death toll in Peshawar school attack to 148 http://www.latimes.com/world/afghanistan-pakistan/la-fg-families-grieve-peshawar-pakistan-20141217-story.html 17 December 2014 LA TIMES 3 December 2015 3 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151203092949/http://www.latimes.com/world/afghanistan-pakistan/la-fg-families-grieve-peshawar-pakistan-20141217-story.html live 114 Pakistan Taliban: Peshawar school attack leaves 141 dead https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30491435 BBC 16 December 2014 16 December 2014 16 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141216103133/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30491435 live Flag of Tehrik-i-Taliban.svg Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan<ref https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/world/asia/taliban-attack-pakistani-school.html Pakistani Taliban Attack on Peshawar School Leaves 15 Dead The New York Times 16 December 2014 1 March 2017 7 April 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190407204938/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/17/world/asia/taliban-attack-pakistani-school.html live Walsh Declan Pakistan 23px Special Services Group Retaliation against National Action Plan Operation Zarb-e-Azb On 16 December 2014, six gunmen affiliated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) conducted a terrorist attack on the Army Public School in the northwestern Pakistani city of Peshawar. The terrorists, all of whom were foreign nationals, comprising one Chechen, three Arabs and two Afghans,Three years after 140 died in the Peshawar school massacre, what has changed? https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/pakistan-peshawar-school-shooting-massacre-what-has-changed-happened-three-years-a8113661.html Independent, UK 15 December 2017 4 March 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180304021728/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/pakistan-peshawar-school-shooting-massacre-what-has-changed-happened-three-years-a8113661.html 4 March 2018 entered the school and opened fire on school staff and children,http://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-live-pakistan-school-siege-terrorists-hold-at-least-500-students-hostage-3-dead-28-injured-2044341 Peshawar school attack: Over 10 killed in Pakistani Taliban attack, hundreds of students hostage DNA India 16 December 2014 16 December 2014 6 January 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190106221558/https://www.dnaindia.com/world/report-peshawar-school-attack-death-toll-stands-at-141-pm-modi-calls-up-nawaz-sharif-to-express-condolence-2044341 live killing 149 people including 132 schoolchildren ranging between eight and eighteen years of age, making it the world's eighth deadliest school massacre. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30491435 Pakistan Taliban: Peshawar school attack leaves 141 dead 16 December 2014 BBC 14 November 2015 21 November 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151121052012/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30491435 live https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/16/taliban-attack-army-public-school-pakistan-peshawar More than 100 children killed in Taliban attack on Pakistan school 16 December 2014 The Guardian 14 November 2015 21 November 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201121094704/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/16/taliban-attack-army-public-school-pakistan-peshawar live Pakistan launched a rescue operation undertaken by the Pakistan Army's Special Services Group (SSG) special forces, who killed all six terrorists and rescued 960 people.http://tribune.com.pk/story/807564/gunmen-target-school-in-peshawar/ Peshawar school attack: Pakistan authorities claim all Taliban attackers are dead The Express Tribune 16 December 2014 6 January 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190106221504/https://tribune.com.pk/story/807564/gunmen-target-school-in-peshawar/ live Taliban kills at least 10 people in attack on Pakistan military school http://www.latimes.com/world/afghanistan-pakistan/la-fg-pakistan-taliban-attack-20141216-story.html 16 December 2014 Los Angeles Times 16 December 2014 Zulfiqar Ali 16 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141216221827/http://www.latimes.com/world/afghanistan-pakistan/la-fg-pakistan-taliban-attack-20141216-story.html live In the long term, the national outrage against the targeted killing of schoolchildren led to Pakistan establishing the National Action Plan to crack down on terrorism. According to various news agencies and commentators, the nature and preparation of the attack was very similar to that of the Beslan school hostage crisis that occurred in the North Ossetia–Alania region of the Russian Federation in 2004.Beslan in Pakistan http://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/16-12-2014/129316-peshawar_school_pakistan_attack-0/#.VJDlkMkXjkc 17 December 2014 Pravda.Ru 16 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141217064559/http://english.pravda.ru/news/hotspots/16-12-2014/129316-peshawar_school_pakistan_attack-0/#.VJDlkMkXjkc 17 December 2014 deadAfter Beslan, Peshawar http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/12/16/comment/after-beslan-peshawar/ 17 December 2014 Pakistan Today Pakistan Today 17 December 2014 6 January 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190106221636/https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/12/16/after-beslan-peshawar/ liveTNN Beslan 2004: The other cowardly terror attack on kids http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Beslan-2004-The-other-cowardly-terror-attack-on-kids/articleshow/45534955.cms 17 December 2014 Times of India 17 December 2014 6 January 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190106221652/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Beslan-2004-The-other-cowardly-terror-attack-on-kids/articleshow/45534955.cms liveTaliban attack in Pakistan a chilling reminder of Beslan school siege http://indianexpress.com/article/world/neighbours/taliban-attack-in-pakistan-a-chilling-reminder-of-beslan-school-siege/ 17 December 2014 Indian Express 17 December 2014 Taliban attackers’ brazen assault on a school in Pakistan’s Peshawar city that claimed the lives of over 150 pupils today has brought back chilling memories of a similar bloodbath in Russia in 2004 when Chechen rebels stormed a school. 6 January 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190106221457/https://indianexpress.com/article/world/neighbours/taliban-attack-in-pakistan-a-chilling-reminder-of-beslan-school-siege/ liveSpencer Richard The world's five worst terror attacks involving children https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/11297108/The-worlds-five-worst-terror-attacks-involving-children.html 17 December 2014 Telegraph 17 December 2014 The only parallels in modern history to today's Taliban attack on a Pakistan school were those by Islamist militant separatists on a Beslan school in North Ossetia. London 17 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141217010038/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/11297108/The-worlds-five-worst-terror-attacks-involving-children.html live Pakistan responded to the attacks by lifting its moratorium on the death penalty, committing more resources to the War in North-West Pakistan, and authorizing military courts to try civilians through a constitutional amendment. On 2 December 2015, Pakistan hanged four militants involved in the Peshawar massacre. Two other militants had committed suicide by bombing themselves in the massacre.http://onlykashmir.in/pakistan-hangs-four-militants-involved-in-peshawar-massacre./ Pakistan hangs four militants involved in Peshawar massacre Only Kashmir – Behind the News 2 December 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304190157/http://onlykashmir.in/pakistan-hangs-four-militants-involved-in-peshawar-massacre/ 4 March 2016 dead The mastermind of the attack, Omar Khorasani, was killed in Afghanistan on 7 August 2022 by a roadside mine.Top Pakistani Taliban leader killed in Afghanistan; Shiites targeted in Kabul en-US The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/08/08/pakistan-taliban-leader-strike-afghanistan-shiite/ 9 August 2022 0190-8286 The Supreme Court of Pakistan upheld the death sentences of two more convicts involved in the attack in the Said Zaman Khan v. Federation of Pakistan case on 29 August 2016.Khan Raza Supreme Court rejects all 16 appeals of terror convicts set to hang https://www.dawn.com/news/1280706 19 September 2016 Dawn Reuters Dawn Group 29 August 2016 19 September 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160919232804/http://www.dawn.com/news/1280706 live Background War in North-West Pakistan Operation Zarb-e-Azb Operation Khyber-1 In June 2014, a joint military offensive was conducted by the Pakistan Armed Forces against various groups in North Waziristan which had been the site of a wave of violence. The military offensive, Operation Zarb-e-Azb, was launched in the wake of the 8 June attack on Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, for which the TTP claimed responsibility. It was part of the ongoing war in North-West Pakistan in which more than 2,100 have been killed so far,Army Chief Raheel Sharif Vows to Hunt Down Every Terrorist http://www.pakistantribe.com/story/26586/army-chief-raheel-sharif-vows-to-hunt-down-every-terrorist/ 24 December 2014 Pakistan Tribe 24 December 2014 24 December 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181224193020/https://www.pakistantribe.com/26586/army-chief-raheel-sharif-vows-to-hunt-down-every-terrorist usurped and, according to the Army, almost 90% of North Waziristan has been cleared.http://tribune.com.pk/story/791954/zarb-e-azb-army-says-90-of-north-waziristan-cleared/ Zarb-e-Azb: Army says 90% of North Waziristan cleared 16 November 2014 Express Tribune 17 December 2014 6 January 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190106221549/https://tribune.com.pk/story/791954/zarb-e-azb-army-says-90-of-north-waziristan-cleared/ live Attack February 2016 280px|thumbnail|Army Public School Peshawar, KP Army Public School is located at Warsak Road near the Peshawar Cantt, and is a part of Army Public Schools and College Systems that runs 146 schools across Pakistan.Taliban Attack Army-Run School in Peshawar http://newsweekpakistan.com/taliban-attack-army-run-school-in-peshawar/ live Newsweek Pakistan https://web.archive.org/web/20141216103436/http://newsweekpakistan.com/taliban-attack-army-run-school-in-peshawar/ 16 December 2014 16 December 2014 On the day of the attack, a total of 1,099 students and staff were registered in the school.https://tribune.com.pk/story/807683/no-hostages-terrorists-wanted-to-inflict-maximum-casualties-says-dg-ispr/ No hostages: Terrorists wanted to inflict maximum casualties, says DG ISPR The Express Tribune 16 December 2014 The Express Tribune 18 October 2018 en-US 1 January 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190101064332/https://tribune.com.pk/story/807683/no-hostages-terrorists-wanted-to-inflict-maximum-casualties-says-dg-ispr/ live The attack began at around 10:30 a.m., when seven gunmen wearing explosive belts entered the school after having scaled the walls. Before entering the school, the gunmen set fire to the Suzuki Bolan ST41 van in which they had arrived. The terrorists, bearing automatic weapons and grenades, moved straight toward the auditorium located at the centre of the complex and opened fire indiscriminately on the children who were gathered there for an assembly on first aid training.http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/12/16/national/militants-attack-peshawar-school-five-students-injured/ TTP militants storm Peshawar school; 131 killed, more than 100 injured Pakistan Today 16 December 2014 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141218181927/http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/12/16/national/militants-attack-peshawar-school-five-students-injured/ 18 December 2014 According to the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) and public relations department of the Pakistani military, Major-General Asim Bajwa, the terrorists did not intend to take any hostages but instead wanted to kill as many people as they could. As the terrorists opened fire, many of the people ran toward the two exits on the other side of the auditorium; many others were gunned down in the garden. Reports also surfaced that pupils were forced to watch teachersReuters 17 December 2014 5 horrific eyewitness accounts on Peshawar school massacre https://www.indiatoday.in/peshawar-massacre/story/peshawar-school-attack-massacre-5-facts-eye-witness-231578-2014-12-17 live https://web.archive.org/web/20181019001900/https://www.indiatoday.in/peshawar-massacre/story/peshawar-school-attack-massacre-5-facts-eye-witness-231578-2014-12-17 19 October 2018 18 October 2018 India Today en be killed in front of them. This included principal Tahira Qazi, who was shot in the head in front of her students. Within 15 minutes, the SSG teams had stormed the school and entered the premises from two sides in their heavy armoured vehicles and trucks. Immediately, the SSG personnel engaged the terrorists, preventing them from going after and killing other remaining teaching staff and students. The gunmen moved to the administration block of the school and took hostages there. One of them was shot by the military personnel near the auditorium, while the other five managed to make it to the administration block. Emergency trauma teams and units of the Army Medical Corps in military armoured vehicles were rushed to the school; the Army Corps of Military Police and the provincial civilian Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police (KP Police) worked towards closing off any potential escape routes for the terrorists. Meanwhile, the SSG commandos had reached the area and surrounded the administration block. Most of the operation took place in the attempt to clear this block and rescue the hostages taken by the gunmen. Special teams of snipers and their spotters pinpointed the terrorists. One of the six attackers was killed by the snipers from the windows and air vents, while the other three were killed when the commandos stormed the building and rescued the remaining hostages in the process. Seven commandos, including two officers, were injured in the battle. A search and clearance operation was started immediately to defuse any IEDs planted by the gunmen within the school premises or in the suicide vests that the terrorists were wearing. The terrorists were in contact with their handlers during the attack, but soon after the SSG had moved in, the security forces intercepted the terrorists' communications. At a press conference, Major-General Bajwa would later state, "We know who they are and who they were in contact with but details cannot be shared due to operation reasons. They were aware of locations and they must have carried out the recon of the area. And it is highly possible that someone from inside might have tipped them off." Victims An estimated total of 1,099 people and teaching staff were present on the school premises. Responding forces were successful in rescuing approximately 960, though 139 were injured. 149 people were killed, including 132 children and 9 school staff members. The provincial Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa announced PKR 3,164,000 (US$11,300 approx.) as compensation to the kin of each of the deceased in the terror attack and PKR 200,000 (US$1,130 approx.) to the seriously injured.http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/21-Jan-2015/aps-carnage-khatak-announces-increase-in-compensation APS carnage: Khatak announces increase in compensation 31 March 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20150628120423/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/21-Jan-2015/aps-carnage-khatak-announces-increase-in-compensation 28 June 2015 dead Responsibility The Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as revenge for Operation Zarb-e-Azb, the Pakistani military's offensive in North Waziristan that started in summer 2014. TTP spokesman Muhammad Omar Khorasani said that "we targeted the school because the Army targets our families. We want them to feel our pain.", "Our six fighters successfully entered the Army school and we are giving them instructions from outside," said Khorasani by phone.December 2022 During the massacre, Khorasani also said, "Our suicide bombers have entered the school, they have instructions not to harm the children, but to target the Army personnel. It's a revenge attack for the Army offensive in North Waziristan." Later though the Taliban claimed contrary by putting out a statement saying, "More than 50 sons of important army officers were killed after being identified."Police: Taliban attack over, all gunmen killed http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/asia/2014/12/16/Three-dead-in-Taliban-attack-on-Pakistan-school.html 17 December 2014 Al Arabiya 17 December 2014 17 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141217214955/http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/asia/2014/12/16/Three-dead-in-Taliban-attack-on-Pakistan-school.html liveTaliban gunmen hold Pakistan school hostage, kill students http://www.dw.de/taliban-gunmen-hold-pakistan-school-hostage-kill-students/a-18133669 17 December 2014 Deutsche Welle 17 December 2014 16 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141216191838/http://www.dw.de/taliban-gunmen-hold-pakistan-school-hostage-kill-students/a-18133669 live The attacks were mainly coordinated by TTP leaders operating in Afghanistan. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-18/taliban-says-it-had-hit-list-of-boys-to-kill-in-pakistan-school.html Taliban Prepared Hit List of Boys to Kill in Pakistan School Kamran Haider Bloomberg.com 18 December 2014 21 December 2014 21 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141221141322/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-18/taliban-says-it-had-hit-list-of-boys-to-kill-in-pakistan-school.html live Moustafa Seyan Sediqyar was later killed in a drone strike in Afghanistan on 9 July 2016. On 18 December 2014, a video was released by TTP on their website showing a man named Umar Mansoor revealing that he was the mastermind behind the Peshawar School attack.Umar Mansoor mastermind of Peshawar school attack: TTP https://www.dawn.com/news/1151879 20 December 2014 DAWN.com 19 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141219230517/http://www.dawn.com/news/1151879 live However, the Pakistan government officials commented that the planning of the attack was actually carried out by Saddam Jan, who was instructed by Umar Mansoor on behalf of Maulana Fazlullah. On 26 December 2014 at midnight, Jan was hunted and killed by the special forces in Khyber Agency in a secret hideout alongside six unidentified high-value targets. Nationalities of the terrorists The Pakistani intelligence community conducted an investigation to determine the nationalities of the terrorists, whom the FIA determined were all foreign fighters. The pictures of six of the gunmen were released by the Pakistani Taliban:Taliban release images of gunmen who killed 132 children https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/peshawar-school-attack-taliban-release-images-of-gunmen-who-killed-148-as-they-claim-massacre-was-9930805.html Independent UK 19 December 2014 4 March 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180304023323/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/peshawar-school-attack-taliban-release-images-of-gunmen-who-killed-148-as-they-claim-massacre-was-9930805.html 4 March 2018 Wayback MachineRashid Javed From Six attackers, one was Chechen, three were Arabs and two were Afghans. http://jang.com.pk/jang/dec2014-daily/20-12-2014/main4.htm 20 December 2014 Jan Newspapers Jan Newspapers, 2014 20 December 2014 ur dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141220035603/http://jang.com.pk/jang/dec2014-daily/20-12-2014/main4.htm 20 December 2014 Abu Shamil (also went by Abdur Rehman) — a Chechen fighter and thought to be the ringleader of the group. Nouman Shah Helmand — an Afghan citizen from Helmand Province; the U.S. had placed a $500,000 bounty upon Nouman. Wazir Alam Herat — an Afghan citizen from Herat. Khatib al-Zubaidi — an Egyptian citizen. Mohammad Zahedi — a Moroccan citizen. Jibran al-Saeedi — a Saudi citizen. The SIM card of the mobile phone that was used by the terrorists was found to be registered to a woman from Hasilpur, Punjab. Reactions Reactions to the 2014 Peshawar school massacre right I have decided to proceed to Peshawar and I will supervise the operation myself. These are my children and it is my loss.http://www.hngn.com/articles/52971/20141216/pakistan-prime-minister-nawaz-sharif-children-loss.htm Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif: 'These Are My Children And It Is My Loss' Headlines & Global News 16 December 2014 2014-12-16 2019-01-09 https://web.archive.org/web/20190109173617/http://www.hngn.com/articles/52971/20141216/pakistan-prime-minister-nawaz-sharif-children-loss.htm live Nawaz Sharif Prime Minister of Pakistan The attack sparked widespread reactions in Pakistan, receiving condemnations from public, government, political and religious entities, journalists, and other members of Pakistani society. Pakistani media reacted strongly to the event, with major newspapers, news channels and many commentators calling for renewed and strong action against militants, especially against the TTP. International reaction to the attack was also widespread, with many countries and international organizations condemning the attack and expressing their condolences to the families of the victims. Many important personalities around the world also condemned the attack. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack, calling it a national tragedy and announced a three-day mourning period during which the national flag would fly at half mast. President Mamnoon Hussain and chief ministers of four provinces reacted strongly to the attack and condemned it. Major Pakistani political entities denounced and heavily condemned the attack on innocent children, calling for a strong reaction against the militants.Political leaders united in sorrow http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/12/16/national/political-leaders-united-in-sorrow/ 19 December 2014 Pakistan Today 16 December 2014 20 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141220125606/http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/12/16/national/political-leaders-united-in-sorrow/ live Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan called off the ongoing Azadi March protest in respect for the victims. Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai condemned the attack, saying in a statement: "I am heartbroken by this senseless and cold-blooded act of terror in Peshawar that is unfolding before us".Heartbroken by senseless and cold blooded act of terror: Malala Yousafzai https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/peshawar-massacre-malala-yousafzai-pakistan-taliban-senseless-cold-blooded-act-of-terror-231428-2014-12-16 India Today 16 December 2014 16 December 2014 9 January 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190109173608/https://www.indiatoday.in/world/story/peshawar-massacre-malala-yousafzai-pakistan-taliban-senseless-cold-blooded-act-of-terror-231428-2014-12-16 live Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai said his "heart is bleeding" and his family is "traumatized" over the Peshawar school massacre.Heart is bleeding: Ziauddin Yousafzai http://www.floridanewstime.com/national/85920-malala-yousafzai-s-father-says-his-heart-is-bleeding-over-peshawar-school-massacre.html Florida News Time 16 December 2014 usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20141219195114/http://www.floridanewstime.com/national/85920-malala-yousafzai-s-father-says-his-heart-is-bleeding-over-peshawar-school-massacre.html 19 December 2014 The terrorist organization al-Qaeda's spokesperson said that "Our hearts are bursting with pain" and that the soldiers should be targeted, not their children.http://m.ibnlive.com/news/alqaeda-bursting-with-pain-over-pakistan-school-attack/519210-56.html Al-Qaeda 'bursting with pain' over Pakistan school attack-INews – IBNLive Mobile 21 December 2014 IBNlive 29 June 2015 28 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141228174551/http://m.ibnlive.com/news/alqaeda-bursting-with-pain-over-pakistan-school-attack/519210-56.html live Following the attack, Pakistani authorities launched crackdowns on Afghan refugee settlements to apprehend illegal immigrants. During the period, at least 30,000 Afghans left for Afghanistan, out of which close to 2,000 were deported due to a lack of legal documentation.https://www.dawn.com/news/1162313 30,000 Afghans left Pakistan after Army Public School attack: IOM Dawn 8 February 2015 8 February 2015 8 February 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150208170026/http://www.dawn.com/news/1162313 live Aftermath National Action Plan (Pakistan) thumb|Candlelight vigil in London, UK for the victims of the terrorist attack Many international media organizations referred to the attack as Pakistan's "9/11".Peshawar school massacre: 'This is Pakistan's 9/11 – now is the time to act' https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/19/peshawar-school-massacre-pakistans-911 20 December 2014 The Guardian 17 December 2014 20 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141220062213/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/19/peshawar-school-massacre-pakistans-911 live The popular opinion was one of anger against the TTP soon after the attacks. Pakistan's Government and its Armed Forces showed immediate reaction to the incident.After Peshawar school massacre, watch for the gloves to come off http://tribune.com.pk/story/808229/after-peshawar-school-massacre-watch-for-the-gloves-to-come-off/ 17 December 2014 Reuters The Express Tribune 17 December 2014 17 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141217181035/http://tribune.com.pk/story/808229/after-peshawar-school-massacre-watch-for-the-gloves-to-come-off/ live According to the Iranian-American scholar, Vali Nasr, "the Taliban may be trying to slacken the resolve of the military by suggesting that there could be a tremendous human costs to the military offensive and create public pressure on the military to back off from this offensive, but it may actually ricochet on them." On the second day after the attack, the moratorium on capital punishment was lifted in terror-related cases by Nawaz SharifGovt lifts moratorium on capital punishment http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/18-Dec-2014/govt-lifts-moratorium-on-capital-punishment 20 December 2014 Daily Times Asim Qadeer Rana dead https://web.archive.org/web/20141220053419/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/18-Dec-2014/govt-lifts-moratorium-on-capital-punishment 20 December 2014 Pakistan lifts moratorium on death penalty after Taliban attack http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-lifts-moratorium-on-death-penalty-after-Taliban-attack/articleshow/45546231.cms 20 December 2014 Times of India 20 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141220140427/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-lifts-moratorium-on-death-penalty-after-Taliban-attack/articleshow/45546231.cms live after which Mohammed Aqeel along with Arshad Mehmood, convicted for a failed assassination attempt on the previous President, General Pervez Musharraf, were executed on 19 December.Pakistan makes final preparations to hang two terrorists http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-makes-final-preparations-to-hang-two-terrorists/articleshow/45575786.cms 19 December 2014 Times of India 19 December 2014 20 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141220132731/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-makes-final-preparations-to-hang-two-terrorists/articleshow/45575786.cms livePakistan resumes executions after Peshawar school attack https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30556260 20 December 2014 BBC News 19 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141219231108/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30556260 live Protesters in Pakistan's capital Islamabad surrounded a pro-Taliban mosque and reclaimed the space.http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/22/pakistan-protesttaliban.html Pakistan protesters surround Taliban-aligned mosque after Peshawar attack 29 June 2015 29 June 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150629085646/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/22/pakistan-protesttaliban.html live A series of candle vigils were held throughout Pakistan in solidarity with the victims. A number of international communities recorded their protest to condemn the attack. https://www.dawn.com/news/1151417 A prayer for Peshawar 17 December 2014 30 December 2014 30 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141230171616/http://www.dawn.com/news/1151417 live http://globalnews.ca/news/1737225/candlelight-vigil-for-victims-of-peshawar-attack/ Candlelight vigil for victims of Peshawar attack 19 December 2014 GlobalNews 30 December 2014 24 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141224034743/http://globalnews.ca/news/1737225/candlelight-vigil-for-victims-of-peshawar-attack/ live thumb|Children in Islamabad commemorating the 4th anniversary of the Peshawar school massacre On 30 December 2014, Pakistani batsman Younis Khan visited the school. The Pakistani team played a test match against New Zealand on the second day after the massacre. Younis Khan handed over cricket kits and a cheque sent by the New Zealand cricket team. http://cricknock.com/international/pakistan/younis-khan-visits-terrorist-struck-apsc-peshawar/ Younis Khan Visits Terrorist Struck APSC Peshawar 30 December 2014 30 December 2014 Cricknock.com – Cricket Beyond Fours & Sixes 21 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150121031935/http://cricknock.com/international/pakistan/younis-khan-visits-terrorist-struck-apsc-peshawar/ live In 2015, Pakistan renamed 107 schools after school children killed during the massacre in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. BBC & Reuters Pakistan Names 107 Schools After Peshawar Massacre Victims https://www.rferl.org/a/pakistan-school-massacre-peshawar/26886770.html Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty 7 March 2015 10 March 2015 10 March 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150310004259/http://www.rferl.org/content/pakistan-school-massacre-peshawar/26886770.html live The 2015 video game Pakistan Army Retribution is set during the Peshawar school massacre. After a negative review on the website of DAWN, people on Twitter also outed their criticism on the game. Pakistan Army Retribution was pulled from the Google Play Store in January 2016.Rahool Munir Review: This Army Public School attack game fails on every front https://www.dawn.com/news/1232492 DAWN 22 February 2016 11 February 2015 21 February 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160221012130/http://www.dawn.com/news/1232492 live Reopening The Army Public School Peshawar was reopened on 12 January 2015 under the guard of Pakistan's security forces.After deadly Taliban attack, Army Public School reopens today https://www.dawn.com/news/1156533/after-deadly-taliban-attack-army-public-school-reopens-today 28 April 2015 Dawn 12 January 2015 24 April 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150424094943/http://www.dawn.com/news/1156533/after-deadly-taliban-attack-army-public-school-reopens-today live To uplift the morale and spirit of the students and victims of the school, the Chief of Army Staff, General Raheel Sharif, personally attended the morning assembly of the school and confirmed to them that no such incident will ever occur in Pakistan again as they will break the backbone of the Taliban. Lifting of moratorium on executions of terrorists Capital punishment in Pakistan On 17 December 2014, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif approved paperwork to remove the moratorium on the death penalty in terrorism cases. Pakistan to end death penalty moratorium in terror cases http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-168932-Pakistan-to-end-death-penalty-moratorium-in-terror-cases 17 December 2014 The News International 17 December 2014 17 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141217120428/http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-168932-Pakistan-to-end-death-penalty-moratorium-in-terror-cases live Sources from the Prime Minister's Secretariat stated: "The Prime Minister has approved abolishment of moratorium on the execution of death penalty in terrorism-related cases." Pakistan has had a moratorium on executions since 2008. Currently there are approximately 800 people on death row in Pakistan in terrorism related cases.http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/12/pakistan-lifts-death-penalty-moratorium-2014121710537499387.html Pakistan lifts death penalty moratorium 17 December 2014 Aljazeera 18 December 2014 22 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141222044704/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/12/pakistan-lifts-death-penalty-moratorium-2014121710537499387.html live The move comes following the widely held perception that militants are never brought to justice in Pakistan. Some reports suggest judges and witnesses are too scared to come forward and award due sentences to prisoners accused of terrorism. And even when militants are convicted and sent to prison, the frail policing system of Pakistan has seen many jailbreaks, including the Bannuhttp://tribune.com.pk/story/365064/prison-break-militants-attack-bannu-jail-over-900-inmates-freed/ Prison break: Taliban attack Bannu jail, nearly 400 inmates escape 15 April 2012 The Express Tribune 18 December 2014 18 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141218170226/http://tribune.com.pk/story/365064/prison-break-militants-attack-bannu-jail-over-900-inmates-freed/ live and Dera Ismail Khanhttps://www.dawn.com/news/1032777 Pakistani Taliban free over 175 inmates in DI Khan jailbreak 30 July 2013 DAWN 18 December 2014 3 April 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190403052559/https://www.dawn.com/news/1032777 live jailbreaks, in which many high-profile TTP members escaped. David Griffiths, Deputy Director for Amnesty International Asia-Pacific opposed the decision, saying "Resorting to the death penalty is not the answer – it is never the answer. This is where the government should focus its energies, rather than perpetuating the cycle of violence with the resumption of executions."Pakistan: Resuming executions 'not the answer' to Peshawar school tragedy https://www.amnesty.org/en/news/pakistan-resuming-executions-not-answer-peshawar-school-tragedy-2014-12-17 17 December 2014 Amnesty International 17 December 2014 10 February 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150210022533/http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/pakistan-resuming-executions-not-answer-peshawar-school-tragedy-2014-12-17 dead Anniversaries and memorials Yearly anniversary tributes are held in Peshawar, Pakistan with prayers, memorials and candlelight vigils. The main ceremony is held at the Peshawar Army Public School, with the parents of victims and Pakistani army officers in attendance, with portraits of victims displayed in the school and along the road into the city.https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/pakistan/pakistan-observes-third-anniversary-of-peshawar-school-massacre-1.2142053 Pakistan observes third anniversary of Peshawar school massacre Sana Jamal 16 December 2017 GulfNews 11 June 2018 12 June 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142009/https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/pakistan/pakistan-observes-third-anniversary-of-peshawar-school-massacre-1.2142053 live From the first anniversary of the massacre, Pakistan Children's Day was moved to 16 December.http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/313147-NA-recommends-to-observe-Dec-16-as-Pakistan-Children-day NA recommends to observe Dec 16 as Pakistan Children Day Dunya News 16 December 2015 Islamabadhttps://tribune.com.pk/story/2516239/president-pm-pay-tribute-to-aps-martyrs President, PM pay tribute to APS martyrs 16 December 2024 Express Tribute ISPR released the songs "Bara Dushman Bana Phirta Hai", "Mujhe Dushman Ke Bachon Ko Parhana Hai", and "Humain Agay Hi Jana Hai", featuring Sahir Ali Bagga, to pay tribute to the victims. This ISPR tribute to Peshawar's lost children will move you to tears https://www.dawn.com/news/1156968 30 May 2025 Dawn 14 January 2015 8 July 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150708192422/http://www.dawn.com/news/1156968 live R Umaima Ahmed 'I want to Teach the Enemy's Children' https://www.nation.com.pk/16-Dec-2015/i-want-to-teach-the-enemy-s-children 30 May 2025 The Nation 16 December 2015 4 March 2025 https://web.archive.org/web/20250304031527/https://www.nation.com.pk/16-Dec-2015/i-want-to-teach-the-enemy-s-children live Nation pays tributes to martyrs of APS https://www.radio.gov.pk/16-12-2018/anniversary-of-aps-attack-being-observed-today 30 May 2025 Radio Pakistan 17 December 2018 16 February 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200216174332/http://www.radio.gov.pk/16-12-2018/anniversary-of-aps-attack-being-observed-today live Governor Punjab confers civil awards https://www.brecorder.com/news/40017020 6 June 2025 Business Recorder 8 September 2020 Ali Zafar collaborated with The Citizens Foundation to establish 141 Schools for Peace, one each in dedication of a victim, and released his song "Urain Ge".Ali Zafar World needs to help us out of extremist darkness https://edition.cnn.com/2015/03/15/opinions/pakistan-ali-zafar 21 November 2025 CNN 16 March 2015 Turning of public opinion The massacre heavily influenced public opinion on insurgent groups in Pakistan such as the TTP, which previously enjoyed moderate support from the residents of KPK and other areas where government support was waning. Many were horrified by the mass killing of children, and sympathy for insurgent groups rapidly declined over the following months.Hoodbhoy Pervez 30 December 2023 No longer Jihadistan https://www.dawn.com/news/1801824 13 November 2024 DAWN.COM en The massacre also marked an escalation in the violence of TTP-backed terrorism, with subsequent attacks showing the same disregard for civilian lives. This further eroded public opinion over the course of the next decade. Retaliation National Action Plan (Pakistan) Operation Zarb-e-Azb Retaliatory UAV and air-strikes History of the Pakistan Air Force PAF strikes in Waziristan Drone strikes in Pakistan After the attack, the combined unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and air-strikes on TTP members were geared up, and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) intensified efforts to locate Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Mullah Fazlullah, who narrowly escaped a UAV strike on 25 November.TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah escapes US drone strike near Pak-Afghan border http://tribune.com.pk/story/796877/ttp-leader-fazlullah-escapes-us-drone-strike-near-pak-afghan-border/ The Express Tribune 20 December 2014 20 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141220101855/http://tribune.com.pk/story/796877/ttp-leader-fazlullah-escapes-us-drone-strike-near-pak-afghan-border/ live On 17 December, the PAF's F-16s and JF-17s jets engaged in bombings against TTP positions in the Tirah Valley, close to the Afghan-Pakistani border targeting 57 TTP members. Twenty additional aerial bombing missions were carried out using dynamic targeting.Staff writer Live: 57 terrorists killed, as air force launches retaliatory strikes in Tirah Valley http://tribune.com.pk/story/808157/live-nation-mourns-141-lives-lost-in-peshawar-school-attack/ The Express Tribune 17 December 2014 17 December 2014 17 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141217133236/http://tribune.com.pk/story/808157/live-nation-mourns-141-lives-lost-in-peshawar-school-attack/ live On 16 December, a United States CIA UAV strike killed four TTP members in eastern Afghanistan.Dec 16 drone strike in Afghanistan killed four TTP militants: Afghan official http://tribune.com.pk/story/808163/dec-16-drone-strike-in-afghanistan-killed-four-ttp-militants-afghan-official/ Reuters / Web Desk The Express Tribune 20 December 2014 17 December 2014 17 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141217173639/http://tribune.com.pk/story/808163/dec-16-drone-strike-in-afghanistan-killed-four-ttp-militants-afghan-official/ live On 20 December, another UAV strike targeted and killed five suspected TTP members in North Waziristan, and according to officials the death toll was expected to rise.Drone strike kills five suspected militants in North Waziristan http://tribune.com.pk/story/809754/drone-strike-kills-four-suspected-militants-in-datta-khel/ AFP The Express Tribune 20 December 2014 20 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141220105758/http://tribune.com.pk/story/809754/drone-strike-kills-four-suspected-militants-in-datta-khel/ live During the same time, around 21 TTP members were reportedly killed by PAF strikes in Khyber Agency as they attempted to escape to Afghanistan.AFP 21 militants killed in Khyber Agency http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-169241-Air-strikes-kill-21-militants-in-Khyber-Agency The News International 20 December 2014 20 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141220180345/http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-169241-Air-strikes-kill-21-militants-in-Khyber-Agency live On 20 December 2014, an unconfirmed media report stated that Fazlullah was killed by PAF air-strikes in Afghanistan.Monitoring Desk TTP chief Fazlullah killed in air attack? http://nation.com.pk/national/20-Dec-2014/ttp-chief-fazlullah-killed-in-air-attack 9 January 2015 The Nation, 2015 20 December 2014 10 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150110010403/http://nation.com.pk/national/20-Dec-2014/ttp-chief-fazlullah-killed-in-air-attack livehttp://www.oneindia.com/international/ttp-chief-fazlullah-killed-pakistan-media-peshawar-siege-1598251.html TTP chief and #PeshawarSiege mastermind Fazlullah killed? Vicky Nanjappa 20 December 2014 OneIndia 21 December 2014 21 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141221035909/http://www.oneindia.com/international/ttp-chief-fazlullah-killed-pakistan-media-peshawar-siege-1598251.html live Air Intelligence and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have not commented on the report; no official response was given by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) over the reports. Mastermind of the attack, Umar Mansoor, was reported to have been wounded in a United States drone strike in Paktia Province of Afghanistan on 17 October 2017. He was shifted to an undisclosed location and reportedly succumbed to his injuries. TTP confirmed his death in a statement sent to journalists through e-mail and added that Khalifa Usman Mansoor will replace him as the new commander for the areas of Darra Adam Khel and Peshawar.http://nation.com.pk/18-Oct-2017/aps-mastermind-umar-mansoor-dead-confirmed-ttp APS mastermind Umar Mansoor dead, confirms TTP The Nation 12 November 2017 12 November 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171112222212/http://nation.com.pk/18-Oct-2017/aps-mastermind-umar-mansoor-dead-confirmed-ttp live Targeted killings of Tehrik-i-Taliban members Targeted killings in Pakistan Police encounter Reports were circulating widely in televised news media about law enforcement agencies tracking down the militants and targeting TTP operatives in a series of police encounters taking place in all over the country. After the school attack, Pakistani intelligence agencies chased down and apprehended four TTP terrorists in Quetta, before they could make their escape to Afghanistan. In a police encounter with Karachi Metro Police and the Crime Investigation Department (CID), the TTP leader, Abid Muchar,TTP commander Abid Muchar, three militants killed in Karachi http://tribune.com.pk/story/809291/ttp-commander-abid-muchar-three-militants-killed-in-karachi/ 22 December 2014 Express Tribunes 22 December 2014 22 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141222223620/http://tribune.com.pk/story/809291/ttp-commander-abid-muchar-three-militants-killed-in-karachi/ live was chased and gunned down along with his three associates in Musharraf Colony. In a separate action in Karachi, the CID teams, in a high-speed chase in Hawke's Bay Beach, pursued and apprehended five members of Al-Qaeda's South Asian chapter who are suspected of planning an attack on Karachi Naval Dockyard in September. On 20 December, a team of Pakistan Rangers personnel raided a safe house in Manghopir area of Karachi and killed five members of the TTP in a shootout.Rangers kill three 'terrorists' in Karachi shootout http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-169225-Rangers-kill-three-terrorists-in-Karachi-shootout-- www.thenews.com.pk 20 December 2014 20 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141220180348/http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-169225-Rangers-kill-three-terrorists-in-Karachi-shootout-- live During the afternoon of 20 December, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police (KP Police) and the special agents of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) raided a safe house in Shabqadar, a town located 30 km mi on north of Peshawar. In an exchange of fire at the safe house, the KPK police and other law enforcement agencies gunned down the six TTP fighters, including their commander and two other high-value targets who assisted in the school attack.Six militants killed in Peshawar operation http://dunyanews.tv/index.php/en/Pakistan/250949-Six-militants-killed-in-Peshawar-operation 20 December 2014 Dunya News 20 December 2014 12 September 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20190912032614/http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/250949-Six-militants-killed-in-Peshawar-operation live Acting on Pakistani Military Intelligence information, Special Service Group Navy (SSGN) teams were inserted into the secret hideout in Khyber Agency and stalked the six terrorists led by Saddam Jan — the mastermind of the Army Public School attack.Yusufzai Ashfaq Mastermind of Peshawar school attack killed Telegraph, Pakistan Bureau Telegraph, Pakistan Bureau, 2014 26 December 2014 Pakistan says it has killed the alleged mastermind of a school attack in Peshawar that claimed the lives of 132 children In a late night operation, the SSGN teams reportedly killed Jan along with his six militants. An unnamed senior Pakistan Government official confirmed the report. On 9 January 2015, the CID teams gunned down four Al-Qaeda operatives after another high-speed car chase took place in Qayyumabad in Karachi.Samaa TV Al-Qaeda Karachi chief among 4 militants killed http://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/09-Jan-2015/al-qaeda-karachi-chief-among-4-militants-killed 9 January 2015 Samaa TV 9 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150109123842/http://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/09-Jan-2015/al-qaeda-karachi-chief-among-4-militants-killed 9 January 2015 dead In another separate midnight action in Lahore, teams of FIA agents, assisted by the Punjab Police, raided a house located in Burki Road. After an almost two-hour gun battle, the FIA agents gunned down Roohullah (alias: Asadullah) – the mastermind of the Wagah border attack – along with three of his associates. Since the attack on the school, the FIA had been on the hunt for Roohullah, and he was finally killed in a police encounter in Lahore.Haider Nadeem Wagah blast 'mastermind', two others killed in Lahore https://www.dawn.com/news/1156151/wagah-blast-mastermind-two-others-killed-in-lahore 10 January 2015 Dawn News Dawn News, 9 January 10 January 2015 10 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150110082035/http://www.dawn.com/news/1156151/wagah-blast-mastermind-two-others-killed-in-lahore live Communications with Afghanistan and ISAF 2014 Kunar Offensive On 17 December, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif, accompanied by the Director General of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Rizwan Akhtar, went to Kabul to meet with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and General John F. Campbell, the commander of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan. According to news sources in Pakistan, General Raheel asked for the handover of the TTP leadership and asked the Afghan government to act against hideouts of the Taliban operatives in its territory.Pakistani Army Chief Asks Afghans to Help Find Taliban Commanders Behind Massacre https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/world/asia/pakistan-premier-lifts-death-penalty-moratorium-following-school-massacre.html?_r=0 17 December 2014 The New York Times 17 December 2014 Ismail Khan Azam Ahmed 17 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141217215716/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/world/asia/pakistan-premier-lifts-death-penalty-moratorium-following-school-massacre.html?_r=0 live At the meeting with Afghan officials, General Raheel delivered a message to Afghan National Army's Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sher Mohammad Karimi, "to take decisive action against sanctuaries of the TTP or else Pakistan would go for a hot pursuit." One intelligence official confirmed the message relayed to the Afghan president and reportedly cautioned that "if Afghan authorities fail to act this time, we will explore all options, including hot pursuit." In further talks, General Raheel told the Afghan president that "Pakistan's military could eliminate TTP's sanctuaries in Kunar and Nuristan Province on its own but was showing restraint due to Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity." President Ghani assured General Raheel that his country would take all the necessary steps to root out the militants. A joint operation against the Taliban was also discussed with the Afghan leadership.Yousaf Kamran Kabul, ISAF promise action against TTP sanctuaries http://tribune.com.pk/story/808780/kabul-isaf-promise-action-against-ttp-sanctuaries/ 17 December 2014 The Express Tribune 18 December 2014 18 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141218020542/http://tribune.com.pk/story/808780/kabul-isaf-promise-action-against-ttp-sanctuaries/ live In a media report published in The Nation, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan released a separate statement to Afghan president on a "hot pursuit" and has sent a message to Kabul reportedly stressing: "Wipe out Taliban or we will."Chaudhry COAS warns Kabul of hot pursuit http://nation.com.pk/editors-picks/18-Dec-2014/coas-warns-kabul-of-hot-pursuit 19 December 2014 The Nation Kabul 17 December 2014 18 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141218172049/http://nation.com.pk/editors-picks/18-Dec-2014/coas-warns-kabul-of-hot-pursuit live The Pakistani military went into active pursuit in the form of manhunt missions after the attack.Abbasi Ansar Hunt for wanted militants http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-34784-Hunt-for-wanted-militants 20 December 2014 The News International 20 December 2014 Islamabad, Pakistan 20 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141220180352/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-34784-Hunt-for-wanted-militants deadAFP Top Uzbek commander among 17 terrorists killed in Khyber air strikes https://www.dawn.com/news/1151682/top-uzbek-commander-among-17-terrorists-killed-in-khyber-air-strikes 19 December 2014 Dawn Khyber 19 December 2014 18 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141218231044/http://www.dawn.com/news/1151682/top-uzbek-commander-among-17-terrorists-killed-in-khyber-air-strikes live On the night of 18 December, the Pakistani military pursued the militants and immediately launched a simultaneous ground offensive in the Khyber Agency and the Tirah Valley when the terrorists were on the run to Afghanistan.Sherazi Zahir Shah Drone strike kills eight militants on Khyber Agency border https://www.dawn.com/news/1151855/drone-strike-kills-eight-militants-on-khyber-agency-border 19 December 2014 Dawn 18 December 2014 19 December 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141219122839/http://www.dawn.com/news/1151855/drone-strike-kills-eight-militants-on-khyber-agency-border live In the assault, there were reports that some Taliban militants had fled and had left behind the bodies of their dead– photos of which circulated on social media. In a separate air strike in Khyber Agency on the same night, the PAF's fighter aircraft reportedly killed a top commander and 17 other militants who were attempting to relocate to Afghanistan. On 14 January 2015, five men were arrested in Afghanistan over suspicion of being involved in the attack in Afghanistan by Afghan security forces after the Pakistani authorities provided intelligence information.Pakistan school attack: Suspects arrested in Afghanistan https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30818347 14 January 2015 BBC 17 January 2015 20 January 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150120225228/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30818347 live On 9 July 2016, the mastermind of the attack Khalid Khurasani was confirmed dead in a U.S. drone strike in Nangarhar, Afghanistan.http://tribune.com.pk/story/1141165/peshawar-school-massacre-mastermind-confirmed-dead-drone-attack-ispr/ Peshawar school massacre mastermind confirmed dead in drone attack: ISPR The Express Tribune 13 July 2016 13 July 2016 13 July 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160713145658/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1141165/peshawar-school-massacre-mastermind-confirmed-dead-drone-attack-ispr/ live 21st Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan On 6 January 2015, both houses of the Parliament of Pakistan unanimously passed the "Constitution (Twenty-First Amendment) Act 2015", which was signed into law by the President on 7 January 2015. The Amendment provided a constitutional cover to the military courts that were established in the country for speedy trials of those involved in the attack. The Amendment contained a "sunset" clause and ceased to be part of the Constitution after two years on 7 January 2017.December 2022 In popular culture Peshawar is a 2020 Indian Hindi-language web series by Ullu. It is based on the attack and focuses on the background of the incident. Ashmit Patel portrayed Abu Shamil, the Chechen militant who masterminded the attack and was ringleader of the group.https://www.spotboye.com/just-binge/binge-news/ashmit-patel-on-his-digital-debut-reveals-i-will-play-terrorist-abu-shamil-the-mastermind-behind-peshawar-attack-exclusive/5d4414d9a0c20052b1b84f48 Ashmit Patel On His Digital Debut; Reveals, "I Will Play Terrorist Abu Shamil, The Mastermind Behind Peshawar Attack" Spotboye en 23 April 2021 27 August 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210827035248/https://www.spotboye.com/just-binge/binge-news/ashmit-patel-on-his-digital-debut-reveals-i-will-play-terrorist-abu-shamil-the-mastermind-behind-peshawar-attack-exclusive/5d4414d9a0c20052b1b84f48 live The School Bag, a 2017 Indian short film by Dheeraj Jindal is also based on the attack. See also Beslan school siege 2017 Peshawar Agriculture Directorate attack Bacha Khan University attack 2013 Lahore bombing 2014 Rada' bombings PTI do-or-die protest List of hostage crises Uzbek and Chechen terrorism in Pakistan Operation Zarb-e-Azb Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2014 List of terrorist incidents, 2014 Army Public Schools & Colleges System List of massacres in Pakistan References Further reading Aftab Khan Obaid Ullah Khadija Nawaz Arsalan Ambreen Israr Ahmad Post traumatic stress disorder among school children of Army Public School Peshawar after Six month of terrorists attack Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences May–June 2018 34 3 525–529 10.12669/pjms.343.14885 30034409 6041521 Mehjabeen Musharraf Lubna Ansari Baig Zarrukh Ali Baig Army Public School Terrorist Attack - Perceptions and Experiences of school children of Karachi Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences September–October 2022 38 7 1952–1957 10.12669/pjms.38.7.5596 36246678 9532667 Pakistan Category:2014 murders in Pakistan Category:21st-century mass murders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Category:2014 mass shootings in Asia Category:Mass murders in Peshawar Category:Terrorist incidents in Peshawar Category:Deaths by firearm in Pakistan Category:December 2014 crimes in Asia Category:December 2014 in Pakistan Category:2010s crimes in Peshawar Category:Hostage taking in Pakistan Category:Islamic terrorist incidents in 2014 Category:Massacres in 2014 Category:Mass shootings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Category:Child murder in Pakistan Category:Operations involving special forces of Pakistan Category:School massacres in Pakistan Category:Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan attacks Category:Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2014 Category:Attacks on schools in 2014 Category:Incidents of violence against boys Category:Spree shootings in Pakistan Category:Afghanistan–Pakistan conflict