Children back to Taliban-hit school after winter break in Pakistan | World News - Hindustan Times
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Children back to Taliban-hit school after winter break in Pakistan

PTI | By, Peshawar
Jan 12, 2015 05:10 PM IST

In Peshawar, a chaotic, often violent city on the edge of Pakistan's lawless tribal areas, survivors of the attack returned to their studies amid tight security, some students still wearing bandages.

Traumatised students of an army-run school in Peshawar hit by Pakistan's worst terror attack returned to school as thousands of educational institutions on Monday reopened across the country after an unusually long winter break, extended for 12 days due to threat of militants.

The schools which were able to fulfill the security criteria set by the government were issued no-objection certificates (NOCs) whereas some institutions which failed to make arrangements such as installation of CCTV cameras and higher boundary walls across the campus boundaries were not issued NOCs.

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Pakistani parents gather at the Army Public School with their children after it was reopened following an attack there by Taliban militants in Peshawar. (REUTERS Photo)

Army chief Gen Raheel Sharif along with his wife visited the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar and met children at the gate of the school which was attacked by the Taliban militants.

The militants killed 150 people, including 134 students, on December 16, during a 7-hour siege, leading to closure of educational institutions across Pakistan.



A Pakistani mother cries as she leaves the Army Public School with her children after it was reopened following an attack there by Taliban militants in Peshawar. (REUTERS Photo)

A tweet by army spokesperson, Maj Gen Asim Bajwa, said Gen Raheel joined the students in the morning assembly. "Standing proudly to sing national anthem," Bajwa said.

About 20 soldiers were seen at the main entry point of the APS in the morning, with an airport-style security gate installed at the front.

Elevated boundary walls with steel wire fencing were also put in place around Peshawar and in schools throughout the rest of the country.



Pakistani soldiers stand guard as parents arrive with their children at the Army Public School in Peshawar. (REUTERS Photo)

The APS management said that psychological counselling sessions would be given to staff and students till January 17, whereas regular academic session would begin from January 19. The winter break in schools across Pakistan was extended for 12 days in the aftermath of the Taliban attack on APS. Strict security arrangements were seen in place for the re-opening of schools.

Pakistan has asked all schools to increase security and install CCTV cameras as the educational institutions are still at threat.



Pakistani parents leave the Army Public School with their children after it was reopened following an attack there by Taliban militants in Peshawar. (REUTERS Photo)

Senior Superintended of Police Mian Mohammad Saeed said that officials had inspected 1,440 schools in Peshawar. Out of these, only 118 schools were given NOCs, he said. Security arrangements at 1,380 schools are not satisfactory, he said, adding that such schools had been issued a security advisory. Some key education institutions also remained shut today.

Among them was also the prestigious Atchison School and College in Lahore which was closed soon after it reopened.

Governor Punjab Muhammad Sarwar expressed displeasure at the lack of security of key the important institution during his visit to the college in Lahore.

Here are some photographs from across Pakistan.

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Pakistani students look out from a vehicle on their way to school near the Army Public School which was targeted by Taliban militants last year, in Peshawar. (AP Photo)

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Schoolchildren inside a decorated van as they head to their school after it reopened in Peshawar. (Reuters)



Pakistani students offer prayers as they return to school after it reopened following a Taliban attack in Peshawar. (AFP Photo)http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2015/1/peshawar3.jpg

A Pakistani security staff member searches the bags of students entering a government school . (Reuters)



Girls carry their school bags as they walk along a road while heading to their school after it reopened in Peshawar. (Reuters)



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Pakistani students go to their school near Army Public School targeted by Taliban militants, in Peshawar, Pakistan. (Reuters)




http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2015/1/peshawar8.jpg

Pakistan army soldier transport his children to a school near the Army Public School targeted by Taliban militants, in Peshawar. (Reuters)
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Images/popup/2015/1/peshawar1.jpg

Students pray during assembly at a school after it reopened in Peshawar. (Reuters)

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