APS attack: a tale of an unscathed survivor

By Zoya Anwer

ISLAMABAD: The day, December 16, 2014, seemed to be yet another ordinary morning for most Pakistanis, winter term was coming to an end for most students, the PTI dharna in Islamabad was in full swing, and Celsius was just dropping low. 

There was news about a possible blast and attack in Peshawar at the Army Public School in the first half of the day, but apathy was not new to those who did not live in that region. The news was thought to be worthy of being brushed under the carpet till the figures started pouring in.  Within minutes, the toll started to climb to  a jarring 100 and then 147, with details revealing that it was mostly school children. 

Looking back today, ten years later, HUM News English speaks to a survivor of the APS attack who was physically untouched by the violence alongside other Pakistanis who were scattered across the country, as to where they were when the APS attack happened. 

Zain – an APS survivor 

Ten years ago today, as a ten-standard student in Army Public School in Peshawar, I was busy taking my English class when we were called to the auditorium for a lecture regarding First-Aid by a doctor from CMH. A little while into the lecture, I could hear sounds of gunshots, which grew louder with every passing moment. Our teachers rushed to lock the various gates of the auditorium, only for the attackers to barge through the other gate after kicking it down. I sat very close to the gate from where they entered, and as soon as they did, there was indiscriminate firing everywhere so I decided to crouch between the rows and shut my ears.

What seemed like a long time, I did not realise that the bodies of my fellows were piling around me – I could feel the blood of one of the deceased drip over me, which made me realise that the firing was not aerial, they had come for the children.

Soon there was firing outside the hall, and the terrorists left one by one chanting ‘Allah O Akbar’. I then alongside a few injured schoolmates and teacher, went to empty classrooms, to seek refuge. I managed to send a text to my father through a bar phone of another boy to pray for me. My driver had already told my father to prepare for my burial because news regarding the attack had travelled far and beyond. My relatives were rushing to hospitals to see if my body had arrived. 

After three to four hours, commandos finally arrived to rescue us. Even till that point I did not know the gravity of the attack, that I had lost so many of my friends, fellows and teachers. I had luckily rushed out of the auditorium because the attackers had returned to shoot injured students, row after row. 

When I finally emerged, unhurt and without a single scratch, many parents were filled with hope that their child may be safe and would not have met the fate of those who lost their lives. 

Today, it seems surreal to look back and think that it could have been me. Initially, a firecracker or a loud noise would startle me and I would feel as if the attackers have returned but thanks to my family, I have been able to recover from my trauma. The incident rather opened up the fickleness of life to me that on December 16, we all were laughing together and within minutes our lives became upside down. 

Now as someone who works in the capital and goes about his life normally, I urge everyone to think about the Hereafter because our lives are very momentarily, here today, gone tomorrow. 

Hamza Ali Zahir – Sales Executive 

Being a ninth grade student in Islamabad, I can recall going home when I heard someone say that “APS in Peshawar had been attacked and all students had been shot, and the terrorists were now on their way to Islamabad.”

I was beyond terrified and did not have the courage to call anyone who went to that school. I was also under trauma and fear because my friends there were unreachable. I was scared of going to school and when we did head back, the thought of terrorists showing up and attacking our classrooms occupied my thoughts for a while. Five-years later when I joined university, among the first few people I befriended was an APS survivor and I felt honoured to know him. 

Even today, the images and footage instill fear in me yet at the same time, this tragedy brought people together as a nation, and I hope that we never get to witness such a  horrible tragedy again. 

Hamza Irshad – Digital Executive 

I was in my hostel preparing for the semester exams with my friends in Islamabad when we received the news. Hailing from KP, my initial thoughts were that our province is marred by such incidents as if it is a battleground. Be it a Madrassah blown up to pieces in Bajaur thanks to drones or children massacred in APS, this was unfortunately the norm.

Like many others I was in shock for a few hours reflecting upon the tragic news and then vacations were announced in educational institutes forcing me to return home but those few weeks were very disturbing. The thought of my province becoming a target of such attacks are only gripping, especially how these incidents are sometimes treated in isolation leading to racial profiling and stirring a divide among people.  

Fazalullah – TV Producer 

I was working as a lecturer at a private university in Jalalabad. The day was as cold as it could get till I received the news of the APS attack, and I felt shivers run down my body at the thought of terrorists being present inside a school. I got glued to the TV for hours, scouting for more details, only for details to get more devastating with time. The school was near where I lived and a number of children from my area were enrolled at APS. I felt helpless as I could recognise many parents who were searching for their children outside school and Lady Redding Hospital. Everyone including me cried and the weeping continued for months to come whenever I came across pictures of those innocent souls on Facebook or elsewhere. The day haunts me even now 

The Aftermath 

A decade since the APS attack, Pakistan has seen different operations by forces, hundreds and thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and two elections of 2018 and 2024 respectively.
APS spurred a national consensus to combat terrorism. The National Internal Security Policy 2014 provided a broad framework, while the 20-Point National Action Plan (NAP) outlined specific, time-bound actions. The NAP, approved by Parliament, has been a crucial tool in Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts today. The government then also completely lifted its moratorium on the death penalty, allowing for the execution of all prisoners who had exhausted their appeals. Military trials also made to the list of possible solutions to curb terrorism. 

The students and teachers who were brutally killed are honoured each year, while some parents are still looking for answers and seeking justice especially after high profile Pakistan Taliban leader, Ehsanullah Ehsan escaped from the country. A known figure from the defence was also quoted dubbing the attack as ‘collateral damage’ which drew ire from the public. 

Even today, Pakistan is struggling with terrorism having lost hundreds of soldiers and civilians to shootings and blasts, yet resolving to continue to thrive amid these conditions, showing that the country has a will which cannot be broken.