Tufail Tariq, a survivor of the tragic Army Public School (APS) attack, still finds it difficult to move forward after the horrifying incident that took the lives of his two brothers. Seven years on, Tufail and his younger brother Sohail continue to be deeply traumatized, causing them to struggle with their studies and daily lives. The APS attack, which occurred on December 16, 2014, claimed the lives of 149 individuals, including 132 school-going children, when terrorists belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) stormed the school in Peshawar.
Tufail, an alumnus of APS, shares his experience with Voicepk.net, stating that the attack has had a lasting impact on his ability to pursue his education. He attempted to resume his studies a year after the incident but was haunted by memories of terrorists indiscriminately shooting at students and teachers. The traumatic nature of the event prevented him from progressing in his studies.
Reflecting on the attack, Tufail recalls that two days prior, the Frontier Corps (FC) had conducted a rehearsal to prepare students for any potential terrorist attacks. When the first blast occurred, the students initially believed it was part of the exercise. However, within moments, the attackers barged into the school, opening fire on innocent individuals.
Tufail and his classmates managed to escape harm by fleeing through the back door of the auditorium. They had gathered there for a first aid training session. It was only when Tufail returned home that he learned his brother Shamowail had been seen at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH). Unfortunately, both Shamowail and Nangyal did not survive the attack.
“We received Shamowail’s body from LRH and Nangyal from the Combined Military Hospital (CMH),” Tufail emotionally recounts. “Our family’s happiness died with them.”
Sohail, Tufail’s younger brother who was in fifth grade at the time of the attack, also abandoned his studies due to the lingering trauma.
Their father, Tariq Jan, expresses the profound impact the APS attack has had on their family. “I lost two of my sons, and the remaining two are unable to resume their studies because of the incident.”
Tariq Jan appeals to the government to expedite the inquiry into the APS attack and release the judicial commission’s report to the public as soon as possible.
Fazal Khan, a lawyer whose son was also a victim of the APS tragedy, highlights that the judicial commission, formed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan on May 9, 2018, was given a two-month deadline to complete the investigation. However, Khan explains that the families of the martyred students were dissatisfied with the verdict as the main culprits were not held accountable.
Tufail expresses his desire to continue his studies, but the trauma hinders his aspirations. Crowded places, particularly schools, serve as a painful reminder of the terrifying experience on December 16, 2014. These memories act as obstacles in fulfilling his dream of becoming an educated citizen of Pakistan.