:2014 Peshawar school massacre

{{Main|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,{{cite news|title=Army Chief Raheel Sharif Vows to Hunt Down Every Terrorist|url=http://www.pakistantribe.com/story/26586/army-chief-raheel-sharif-vows-to-hunt-down-every-terrorist/|date=24 December 2014|work=Pakistan Tribe|access-date=24 December 2014|archive-date=24 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224193020/https://www.pakistantribe.com/26586/army-chief-raheel-sharif-vows-to-hunt-down-every-terrorist|url-status=usurped}} and, according to the Army, almost 90% of North Waziristan has been cleared.{{cite news |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/791954/zarb-e-azb-army-says-90-of-north-waziristan-cleared/ |title=Zarb-e-Azb: Army says 90% of North Waziristan cleared |date=16 November 2014 |newspaper=Express Tribune |access-date=17 December 2014 |archive-date=6 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190106221549/https://tribune.com.pk/story/791954/zarb-e-azb-army-says-90-of-north-waziristan-cleared/ |url-status=live }}

{{more citations needed section|date=February 2016}}

File:Army Public School.jpg

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.{{cite magazine |title=Taliban Attack Army-Run School in Peshawar |url=http://newsweekpakistan.com/taliban-attack-army-run-school-in-peshawar/ |url-status=live |magazine=Newsweek Pakistan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216103436/http://newsweekpakistan.com/taliban-attack-army-run-school-in-peshawar/ |archive-date=16 December 2014 |access-date=16 December 2014}} On the day of the attack, a total of 1,099 students and staff were registered in the school.{{Cite news|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/807683/no-hostages-terrorists-wanted-to-inflict-maximum-casualties-says-dg-ispr/|title=No hostages: Terrorists wanted to inflict maximum casualties, says DG ISPR {{!}} The Express Tribune|date=16 December 2014|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=18 October 2018|language=en-US|archive-date=1 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101064332/https://tribune.com.pk/story/807683/no-hostages-terrorists-wanted-to-inflict-maximum-casualties-says-dg-ispr/|url-status=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.{{cite web|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/12/16/national/militants-attack-peshawar-school-five-students-injured/ |title=TTP militants storm Peshawar school; 131 killed, more than 100 injured |publisher=Pakistan Today |access-date=16 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218181927/http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/12/16/national/militants-attack-peshawar-school-five-students-injured/ |archive-date=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 teachers{{Cite web |agency=Reuters |date=17 December 2014 |title=5 horrific eyewitness accounts on Peshawar school massacre |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/peshawar-massacre/story/peshawar-school-attack-massacre-5-facts-eye-witness-231578-2014-12-17 |url-status=live |archive-url=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 |archive-date=19 October 2018 |access-date=18 October 2018 |website=India Today |language=en}} be killed in front of them. This included principal Tahira Qazi, who was burned to death 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."

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.{{Cite web |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/21-Jan-2015/aps-carnage-khatak-announces-increase-in-compensation |title = APS carnage: Khatak announces increase in compensation |access-date=31 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150628120423/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/21-Jan-2015/aps-carnage-khatak-announces-increase-in-compensation |archive-date=28 June 2015 |url-status=dead }}

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.{{According to whom|date=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."{{cite news|title=Police: Taliban attack over, all gunmen killed|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/asia/2014/12/16/Three-dead-in-Taliban-attack-on-Pakistan-school.html|access-date=17 December 2014|publisher=Al Arabiya|date=17 December 2014|archive-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Taliban gunmen hold Pakistan school hostage, kill students|url=http://www.dw.de/taliban-gunmen-hold-pakistan-school-hostage-kill-students/a-18133669|access-date=17 December 2014|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=17 December 2014|archive-date=16 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141216191838/http://www.dw.de/taliban-gunmen-hold-pakistan-school-hostage-kill-students/a-18133669|url-status=live}} The attacks were mainly coordinated by TTP leaders operating in Afghanistan.{{cite news | url= https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-12-18/taliban-says-it-had-hit-list-of-boys-to-kill-in-pakistan-school.html | title= Taliban Prepared Hit List of Boys to Kill in Pakistan School | first= Kamran | last= Haider | publisher= Bloomberg.com | date= 18 December 2014 | access-date= 21 December 2014 | archive-date= 21 December 2014 | archive-url= 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 | url-status= 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.{{cite news|title=Umar Mansoor mastermind of Peshawar school attack: TTP|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1151879|access-date=20 December 2014|work=DAWN.com|archive-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219230517/http://www.dawn.com/news/1151879|url-status=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.

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:{{cite web|title=Taliban release images of gunmen who killed 132 children|url=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|website=Independent UK|date=19 December 2014 |access-date=4 March 2018|archive-url=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|archive-date=4 March 2018|location=Wayback Machine}}{{cite news|last1=Rashid |first1=Javed |title=From Six attackers, one was Chechen, three were Arabs and two were Afghans. |url=http://jang.com.pk/jang/dec2014-daily/20-12-2014/main4.htm |access-date=20 December 2014 |agency=Jan Newspapers |publisher=Jan Newspapers, 2014 |date=20 December 2014 |language=ur |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220035603/http://jang.com.pk/jang/dec2014-daily/20-12-2014/main4.htm |archive-date=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.

{{Main|Reactions to the 2014 Peshawar school massacre}}

{{Rquote|right|I have decided to proceed to Peshawar and I will supervise the operation myself. These are my children and it is my loss.{{cite web|url=http://www.hngn.com/articles/52971/20141216/pakistan-prime-minister-nawaz-sharif-children-loss.htm|title=Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif: 'These Are My Children And It Is My Loss'|work=Headlines & Global News|date=16 December 2014 |access-date=2014-12-16|archive-date=2019-01-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109173617/http://www.hngn.com/articles/52971/20141216/pakistan-prime-minister-nawaz-sharif-children-loss.htm|url-status=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.

Artists from around the world also expressed their concern and sadness. Pakistani artist and singer Shehzad Roy{{cite web|url=http://www.songshd.pk/2014/12/zindagi-yaad-karti-hai-by-shehzad-roy.html |title = Zindagi Yaad Karti Hai By Shehzad Roy Tribute To Peshawar Attack Victims ~ Songs HD 2015 |access-date=22 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222193442/http://www.songshd.pk/2014/12/zindagi-yaad-karti-hai-by-shehzad-roy.html |archive-date=22 December 2014 }} Shehzad Roy sang a new song for the victims of the Peshawar attack, which is now the official song on the National TV channel of Pakistan, PTV.

Major Pakistani political entities denounced and heavily condemned the attack on innocent children, calling for a strong reaction against the militants.{{cite news|title=Political leaders united in sorrow|url=http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/12/16/national/political-leaders-united-in-sorrow/|access-date=19 December 2014|work=Pakistan Today|date=16 December 2014|archive-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220125606/http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2014/12/16/national/political-leaders-united-in-sorrow/|url-status=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".{{cite web|title=Heartbroken by senseless and cold blooded act of terror: Malala Yousafzai|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/peshawar-massacre-malala-yousafzai-pakistan-taliban-senseless-cold-blooded-act-of-terror/1/407157.html|work=India Today|date=16 December 2014 |access-date=16 December 2014|archive-date=9 January 2019|archive-url=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|url-status=live}} Her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai said his "heart is bleeding" and his family is "traumatized" over the Peshawar school massacre.{{cite web|title=Heart is bleeding: Ziauddin Yousafzai |url=http://www.floridanewstime.com/national/85920-malala-yousafzai-s-father-says-his-heart-is-bleeding-over-peshawar-school-massacre.html |work=Florida News Time |access-date=16 December 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=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 |archive-date=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.{{cite web|url=http://m.ibnlive.com/news/alqaeda-bursting-with-pain-over-pakistan-school-attack/519210-56.html|title=Al-Qaeda 'bursting with pain' over Pakistan school attack-INews – IBNLive Mobile|date=21 December 2014|work=IBNlive|access-date=29 June 2015|archive-date=28 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141228174551/http://m.ibnlive.com/news/alqaeda-bursting-with-pain-over-pakistan-school-attack/519210-56.html|url-status=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.{{cite news|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1162313|title=30,000 Afghans left Pakistan after Army Public School attack: IOM|work=Dawn|date=8 February 2015|access-date=8 February 2015|archive-date=8 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208170026/http://www.dawn.com/news/1162313|url-status=live}}

{{further|National Action Plan (Pakistan)}}

File:Candlelight vigil in London for the victims of the Peshawar school siege..jpg

Many international media organizations referred to the attack as Pakistan's "9/11".{{cite news| title=Peshawar school massacre: 'This is Pakistan's 9/11 – now is the time to act'| url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/19/peshawar-school-massacre-pakistans-911| access-date=20 December 2014| work=The Guardian| date=17 December 2014| archive-date=20 December 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220062213/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/19/peshawar-school-massacre-pakistans-911| url-status=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.{{cite news|title=After Peshawar school massacre, watch for the gloves to come off|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/808229/after-peshawar-school-massacre-watch-for-the-gloves-to-come-off/|access-date=17 December 2014|agency=Reuters|work=The Express Tribune|date=17 December 2014|archive-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217181035/http://tribune.com.pk/story/808229/after-peshawar-school-massacre-watch-for-the-gloves-to-come-off/|url-status=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 Sharif{{cite news|title=Govt lifts moratorium on capital punishment |url=http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/18-Dec-2014/govt-lifts-moratorium-on-capital-punishment |access-date=20 December 2014 |work=Daily Times |publisher=Asim Qadeer Rana |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220053419/http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/national/18-Dec-2014/govt-lifts-moratorium-on-capital-punishment |archive-date=20 December 2014 }}{{cite news|title=Pakistan lifts moratorium on death penalty after Taliban attack|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-lifts-moratorium-on-death-penalty-after-Taliban-attack/articleshow/45546231.cms|access-date=20 December 2014|work=Times of India|archive-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220140427/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-lifts-moratorium-on-death-penalty-after-Taliban-attack/articleshow/45546231.cms|url-status=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.{{cite news|title=Pakistan makes final preparations to hang two terrorists|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-makes-final-preparations-to-hang-two-terrorists/articleshow/45575786.cms|access-date=19 December 2014|newspaper=Times of India|date=19 December 2014|archive-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220132731/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pakistan-makes-final-preparations-to-hang-two-terrorists/articleshow/45575786.cms|url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Pakistan resumes executions after Peshawar school attack|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30556260|access-date=20 December 2014|work=BBC News|archive-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219231108/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30556260|url-status=live}}

Protesters in Pakistan's capital Islamabad surrounded a pro-Taliban mosque and reclaimed the space.{{cite web|url=http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/22/pakistan-protesttaliban.html|title=Pakistan protesters surround Taliban-aligned mosque after Peshawar attack|access-date=29 June 2015|archive-date=29 June 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629085646/http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/22/pakistan-protesttaliban.html|url-status=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.{{Cite web|url = http://www.dawn.com/news/1151417|title = A prayer for Peshawar|date = 17 December 2014|access-date = 30 December 2014|archive-date = 30 December 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141230171616/http://www.dawn.com/news/1151417|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|url = http://globalnews.ca/news/1737225/candlelight-vigil-for-victims-of-peshawar-attack/|title = Candlelight vigil for victims of Peshawar attack|date = 19 December 2014 |publisher = GlobalNews|access-date = 30 December 2014|archive-date = 24 December 2014|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141224034743/http://globalnews.ca/news/1737225/candlelight-vigil-for-victims-of-peshawar-attack/|url-status = live}}

File:Peshawar school attack march 2018.jpg

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.{{Cite web|url = http://cricknock.com/international/pakistan/younis-khan-visits-terrorist-struck-apsc-peshawar/|title = Younis Khan Visits Terrorist Struck APSC Peshawar|date = 30 December 2014|access-date = 30 December 2014|website = Cricknock.com – Cricket Beyond Fours & Sixes|archive-date = 21 January 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150121031935/http://cricknock.com/international/pakistan/younis-khan-visits-terrorist-struck-apsc-peshawar/|url-status = live}}

ISPR released the songs "Bara Dushman Bana Phirta Hai" and "Mujhe Dushman Ke Bachon Ko Parhana Hai", to pay tribute to the victims.{{cite web|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1156968|title=This ISPR tribute to Peshawar's lost children will move you to tears|access-date=29 June 2015|date=14 January 2015|archive-date=8 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708192422/http://www.dawn.com/news/1156968|url-status=live}}

In 2015, Pakistan renamed 107 schools after school children killed during the massacre in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region.{{cite news |author= |agency=BBC & Reuters |title=Pakistan Names 107 Schools After Peshawar Massacre Victims |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/pakistan-school-massacre-peshawar/26886770.html |newspaper=Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty |date=7 March 2015 |access-date=10 March 2015 |archive-date=10 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150310004259/http://www.rferl.org/content/pakistan-school-massacre-peshawar/26886770.html |url-status=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.{{cite web|last1=Rahool|first1=Munir|title=Review: This Army Public School attack game fails on every front|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1232492|website=DAWN|access-date=22 February 2016|date=11 February 2015|archive-date=21 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221012130/http://www.dawn.com/news/1232492|url-status=live}}

The Army Public School Peshawar was reopened on 12 January 2015 under the guard of Pakistan's security forces.{{cite news|title=After deadly Taliban attack, Army Public School reopens today|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1156533/after-deadly-taliban-attack-army-public-school-reopens-today|access-date=28 April 2015|publisher=Dawn|date=12 January 2015|archive-date=24 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150424094943/http://www.dawn.com/news/1156533/after-deadly-taliban-attack-army-public-school-reopens-today|url-status=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.

{{See also|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.{{cite news|title= Pakistan to end death penalty moratorium in terror cases|url= http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-168932-Pakistan-to-end-death-penalty-moratorium-in-terror-cases|access-date= 17 December 2014|publisher= The News International|date= 17 December 2014|archive-date= 17 December 2014|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141217120428/http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-168932-Pakistan-to-end-death-penalty-moratorium-in-terror-cases|url-status= 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/12/pakistan-lifts-death-penalty-moratorium-2014121710537499387.html |title=Pakistan lifts death penalty moratorium |date=17 December 2014 |publisher=Aljazeera |access-date=18 December 2014 |archive-date=22 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222044704/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2014/12/pakistan-lifts-death-penalty-moratorium-2014121710537499387.html |url-status=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 Bannu{{cite news |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/365064/prison-break-militants-attack-bannu-jail-over-900-inmates-freed/ |title=Prison break: Taliban attack Bannu jail, nearly 400 inmates escape |date=15 April 2012 |newspaper=The Express Tribune |access-date=18 December 2014 |archive-date=18 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218170226/http://tribune.com.pk/story/365064/prison-break-militants-attack-bannu-jail-over-900-inmates-freed/ |url-status=live }} and Dera Ismail Khan{{cite web |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1032777 |title=Pakistani Taliban free over 175 inmates in DI Khan jailbreak |date=30 July 2013 |publisher=DAWN |access-date=18 December 2014 |archive-date=3 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403052559/https://www.dawn.com/news/1032777 |url-status=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."{{cite news|title=Pakistan: Resuming executions 'not the answer' to Peshawar school tragedy|url=https://www.amnesty.org/en/news/pakistan-resuming-executions-not-answer-peshawar-school-tragedy-2014-12-17|access-date=17 December 2014|publisher=Amnesty International|date=17 December 2014|archive-date=10 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210022533/http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/pakistan-resuming-executions-not-answer-peshawar-school-tragedy-2014-12-17|url-status=dead}}

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.{{Cite news|url=https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/pakistan/pakistan-observes-third-anniversary-of-peshawar-school-massacre-1.2142053|title=Pakistan observes third anniversary of Peshawar school massacre|last=Correspondent|first=Sana Jamal|date=16 December 2017|work=GulfNews|access-date=11 June 2018|archive-date=12 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142009/https://gulfnews.com/news/asia/pakistan/pakistan-observes-third-anniversary-of-peshawar-school-massacre-1.2142053|url-status=live}} From the first anniversary of the massacre, Pakistan Children's Day was moved to 16 December.{{cite news|url=http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/313147-NA-recommends-to-observe-Dec-16-as-Pakistan-Children-day|title=NA recommends to observe Dec 16 as Pakistan Children Day|publisher=Dunya News|date=16 December 2015|location=Islamabad}}{{cite web|url=https://tribune.com.pk/story/2516239/president-pm-pay-tribute-to-aps-martyrs |title=President, PM pay tribute to APS martyrs|date=16 December 2024 |publisher=Express Tribute}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Hoodbhoy |first=Pervez |date=30 December 2023 |title=No longer Jihadistan |url=https://www.dawn.com/news/1801824 |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=DAWN.COM |language=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.

{{further|National Action Plan (Pakistan)|Operation Zarb-e-Azb}}

{{Main|History of the Pakistan Air Force|l1=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.{{cite news|title=TTP leader Mullah Fazlullah escapes US drone strike near Pak-Afghan border|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/796877/ttp-leader-fazlullah-escapes-us-drone-strike-near-pak-afghan-border/|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=20 December 2014|archive-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220101855/http://tribune.com.pk/story/796877/ttp-leader-fazlullah-escapes-us-drone-strike-near-pak-afghan-border/|url-status=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.{{cite news|last1=Staff writer|title=Live: 57 terrorists killed, as air force launches retaliatory strikes in Tirah Valley|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/808157/live-nation-mourns-141-lives-lost-in-peshawar-school-attack/|work=The Express Tribune|access-date=17 December 2014|date=17 December 2014|archive-date=17 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217133236/http://tribune.com.pk/story/808157/live-nation-mourns-141-lives-lost-in-peshawar-school-attack/|url-status=live}} On 16 December, a United States CIA UAV strike killed four TTP members in eastern Afghanistan.{{cite news| title=Dec 16 drone strike in Afghanistan killed four TTP militants: Afghan official| url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/808163/dec-16-drone-strike-in-afghanistan-killed-four-ttp-militants-afghan-official/| agency=Reuters / Web Desk| work=The Express Tribune| access-date=20 December 2014| date=17 December 2014| archive-date=17 December 2014| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217173639/http://tribune.com.pk/story/808163/dec-16-drone-strike-in-afghanistan-killed-four-ttp-militants-afghan-official/| url-status=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.{{cite news |title=Drone strike kills five suspected militants in North Waziristan |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/809754/drone-strike-kills-four-suspected-militants-in-datta-khel/ |agency=AFP |work=The Express Tribune |access-date=20 December 2014 |archive-date=20 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220105758/http://tribune.com.pk/story/809754/drone-strike-kills-four-suspected-militants-in-datta-khel/ |url-status=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.{{cite news |agency=AFP |title=21 militants killed in Khyber Agency |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-169241-Air-strikes-kill-21-militants-in-Khyber-Agency |work=The News International |access-date=20 December 2014 |archive-date=20 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220180345/http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-169241-Air-strikes-kill-21-militants-in-Khyber-Agency |url-status=live }} On 20 December 2014, an unconfirmed media report stated that Fazlullah was killed by PAF air-strikes in Afghanistan.{{cite news|last1=Monitoring Desk|title=TTP chief Fazlullah killed in air attack?|url=http://nation.com.pk/national/20-Dec-2014/ttp-chief-fazlullah-killed-in-air-attack|access-date=9 January 2015|publisher=The Nation, 2015|date=20 December 2014|archive-date=10 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110010403/http://nation.com.pk/national/20-Dec-2014/ttp-chief-fazlullah-killed-in-air-attack|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.oneindia.com/international/ttp-chief-fazlullah-killed-pakistan-media-peshawar-siege-1598251.html |title=TTP chief and #PeshawarSiege mastermind Fazlullah killed? |first=Vicky |last=Nanjappa |date=20 December 2014 |work=OneIndia |access-date=21 December 2014 |archive-date=21 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141221035909/http://www.oneindia.com/international/ttp-chief-fazlullah-killed-pakistan-media-peshawar-siege-1598251.html |url-status=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.{{cite news|url=http://nation.com.pk/18-Oct-2017/aps-mastermind-umar-mansoor-dead-confirmed-ttp|title=APS mastermind Umar Mansoor dead, confirms TTP|work=The Nation|access-date=12 November 2017|archive-date=12 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112222212/http://nation.com.pk/18-Oct-2017/aps-mastermind-umar-mansoor-dead-confirmed-ttp|url-status=live}}

{{Main|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,{{cite news|title=TTP commander Abid Muchar, three militants killed in Karachi|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/809291/ttp-commander-abid-muchar-three-militants-killed-in-karachi/|access-date=22 December 2014|publisher=Express Tribunes|date=22 December 2014|archive-date=22 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222223620/http://tribune.com.pk/story/809291/ttp-commander-abid-muchar-three-militants-killed-in-karachi/|url-status=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.{{cite news |title=Rangers kill three 'terrorists' in Karachi shootout |url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-169225-Rangers-kill-three-terrorists-in-Karachi-shootout-- |website=www.thenews.com.pk |access-date=20 December 2014 |archive-date=20 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220180348/http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-169225-Rangers-kill-three-terrorists-in-Karachi-shootout-- |url-status=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 {{convert|30|km|mi|abbr=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.{{cite news|title=Six militants killed in Peshawar operation|url=http://dunyanews.tv/index.php/en/Pakistan/250949-Six-militants-killed-in-Peshawar-operation|access-date=20 December 2014|publisher=Dunya News|date=20 December 2014|archive-date=12 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190912032614/http://dunyanews.tv/en/Pakistan/250949-Six-militants-killed-in-Peshawar-operation|url-status=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.{{cite news |last1=Yusufzai|first1=Ashfaq |title=Mastermind of Peshawar school attack killed |agency=Telegraph, Pakistan Bureau |publisher=Telegraph, Pakistan Bureau, 2014 |date=26 December 2014 |quote=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.{{cite news |last1=Samaa TV |title=Al-Qaeda Karachi chief among 4 militants killed |url=http://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/09-Jan-2015/al-qaeda-karachi-chief-among-4-militants-killed |access-date=9 January 2015 |publisher=Samaa TV |date=9 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150109123842/http://www.samaa.tv/pakistan/09-Jan-2015/al-qaeda-karachi-chief-among-4-militants-killed |archive-date=9 January 2015 |url-status=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.{{cite news |last1=Haider |first1=Nadeem |title=Wagah blast 'mastermind', two others killed in Lahore |url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1156151/wagah-blast-mastermind-two-others-killed-in-lahore |access-date=10 January 2015 |work=Dawn News |publisher=Dawn News, 9 January |date=10 January 2015 |archive-date=10 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150110082035/http://www.dawn.com/news/1156151/wagah-blast-mastermind-two-others-killed-in-lahore |url-status=live }}

{{See also|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.{{cite news |title=Pakistani Army Chief Asks Afghans to Help Find Taliban Commanders Behind Massacre |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/18/world/asia/pakistan-premier-lifts-death-penalty-moratorium-following-school-massacre.html?_r=0 |access-date=17 December 2014 |work=The New York Times |date=17 December 2014 |first1=Ismail |last1=Khan |first2=Azam |last2=Ahmed |archive-date=17 December 2014 |archive-url=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 |url-status=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.{{cite news |last1=Yousaf |first1=Kamran |title=Kabul, ISAF promise action against TTP sanctuaries |url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/808780/kabul-isaf-promise-action-against-ttp-sanctuaries/ |access-date=17 December 2014 |work=The Express Tribune |date=18 December 2014 |archive-date=18 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218020542/http://tribune.com.pk/story/808780/kabul-isaf-promise-action-against-ttp-sanctuaries/ |url-status=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."{{cite news |last1=Chaudhry |title=COAS warns Kabul of hot pursuit |url=http://nation.com.pk/editors-picks/18-Dec-2014/coas-warns-kabul-of-hot-pursuit |access-date=19 December 2014 |work=The Nation |location=Kabul |date=17 December 2014 |archive-date=18 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218172049/http://nation.com.pk/editors-picks/18-Dec-2014/coas-warns-kabul-of-hot-pursuit |url-status=live }}

The Pakistani military went into active pursuit in the form of manhunt missions after the attack.{{cite news|last1=Abbasi|first1=Ansar|title=Hunt for wanted militants|url=http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-34784-Hunt-for-wanted-militants|access-date=20 December 2014|publisher=The News International|date=20 December 2014|location=Islamabad, Pakistan|archive-date=20 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220180352/http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-13-34784-Hunt-for-wanted-militants|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|agency=AFP|title=Top Uzbek commander among 17 terrorists killed in Khyber air strikes|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1151682/top-uzbek-commander-among-17-terrorists-killed-in-khyber-air-strikes|access-date=19 December 2014|publisher=Dawn|location=Khyber|date=19 December 2014|archive-date=18 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141218231044/http://www.dawn.com/news/1151682/top-uzbek-commander-among-17-terrorists-killed-in-khyber-air-strikes|url-status=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.{{cite news|last1=Sherazi|first1=Zahir Shah|title=Drone strike kills eight militants on Khyber Agency border|url=http://www.dawn.com/news/1151855/drone-strike-kills-eight-militants-on-khyber-agency-border|access-date=19 December 2014|publisher=Dawn|date=18 December 2014|archive-date=19 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219122839/http://www.dawn.com/news/1151855/drone-strike-kills-eight-militants-on-khyber-agency-border|url-status=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.{{cite news|title=Pakistan school attack: Suspects arrested in Afghanistan|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30818347|date=14 January 2015|work=BBC|access-date=17 January 2015|archive-date=20 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120225228/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-30818347|url-status=live}} On 9 July 2016, the mastermind of the attack Khalid Khurasani was confirmed dead in a U.S. drone strike in Nangarhar, Afghanistan.{{cite news|url=http://tribune.com.pk/story/1141165/peshawar-school-massacre-mastermind-confirmed-dead-drone-attack-ispr/|title=Peshawar school massacre mastermind confirmed dead in drone attack: ISPR|work=The Express Tribune|date=13 July 2016|access-date=13 July 2016|archive-date=13 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160713145658/http://tribune.com.pk/story/1141165/peshawar-school-massacre-mastermind-confirmed-dead-drone-attack-ispr/|url-status=live}}

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.{{citation needed|date=December 2022}}

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.{{Cite web|url=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|title=Ashmit Patel On His Digital Debut; Reveals, "I Will Play Terrorist Abu Shamil, The Mastermind Behind Peshawar Attack"|website=Spotboye|language=en|access-date=23 April 2021|archive-date=27 August 2021|archive-url=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|url-status=live}}

The School Bag, a 2017 Indian short film by Dheeraj Jindal is also based on the attack.

{{commons category}}

• 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
• Samjhauta Express bombing
• Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2014
• List of terrorist incidents, 2014
• Army Public Schools & Colleges System
• List of massacres in Pakistan

{{reflist}}

• {{cite journal|author1=Aftab Khan|author2=Obaid Ullah|author3=Khadija Nawaz|author4=Arsalan|author5=Ambreen|author6=Israr Ahmad|title=Post traumatic stress disorder among school children of Army Public School Peshawar after Six month of terrorists attack|journal=Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences|date=May–June 2018|volume=34|issue=3|pages=525–529|doi=10.12669/pjms.343.14885|pmid=30034409 |pmc=6041521}}
• {{cite journal|author1=Mehjabeen Musharraf|author2=Lubna Ansari Baig|author3=Zarrukh Ali Baig|title=Army Public School Terrorist Attack - Perceptions and Experiences of school children of Karachi|journal=Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences|date=September–October 2022|volume=38|issue=7|pages=1952–1957|doi=10.12669/pjms.38.7.5596|pmid=36246678 |pmc=9532667 }}

{{2014 Peshawar school massacre}}

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