Attack on Pakistan University leaves 19 Dead

Attack on Pakistan University leaves 19 Dead

Gunman raided Bacha Khan University in northwest Pakistan on Jan. 20, timing their attack to a ceremony at the school to ensure maximum causalities.

After security forces combed the campus block by block after the massacre, it was reported that 19 civilians were dead, although they expect the number of deaths to increase over the course of the investigation.

The attack disrupted a ceremony that where students and faculty members were paying tribute to Abdul Ghaffar Khan, a 1920s Pashtun independence activist and pacifist also known as Bacha Khan, for which the school is named after. Guests were gathered together when the militants came.

The group took advantage of the low security model, avoiding the two security guards posted at the main gate of the university. The attackers entered from the back and were able to sneak around in the low visibility provided to them by the thick blanket of fog that covered the campus that morning. Once they were spotted they threw grenades and began open firing.

Law enforcement officials rushed onto campus and gunfire was exchanged between the two groups for almost three hours before the event was over.  Pakistani military and police set up a perimeter around the campus to ensure that no unauthorized beings came in or out.

The attack took place less than 25 miles from where the Pakistan Taliban slayed 145 people, including 132, in a school attack in December 2014.

It is unclear whether the group is responsible for the deaths at the university. There are some reports that they are as a spokesman for the Pakistan Taliban explained that the attack could be in retaliation for military operations against the group. Another spokesman denied having any role in the attack.

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Maximizing Your Security Budget This Year

    Perimeter Security Standards for Multi-Site Businesses

    When you run or own a business that has multiple locations, it is important to set clear perimeter security standards. By doing this, it allows you to assess and mitigate any potential threats or risks at each site or location efficiently and effectively. Read Now

  • New Research Shows a Continuing Increase in Ransomware Victims

    GuidePoint Security recently announced the release of GuidePoint Research and Intelligence Team’s (GRIT) Q1 2024 Ransomware Report. In addition to revealing a nearly 20% year-over-year increase in the number of ransomware victims, the GRIT Q1 2024 Ransomware Report observes major shifts in the behavioral patterns of ransomware groups following law enforcement activity – including the continued targeting of previously “off-limits” organizations and industries, such as emergency hospitals. Read Now

  • OpenAI's GPT-4 Is Capable of Autonomously Exploiting Zero-Day Vulnerabilities

    According to a new study from four computer scientists at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, OpenAI’s paid chatbot, GPT-4, is capable of autonomously exploiting zero-day vulnerabilities without any human assistance. Read Now

  • Getting in Someone’s Face

    There was a time, not so long ago, when the tradeshow industry must have thought COVID-19 might wipe out face-to-face meetings. It sure seemed that way about three years ago. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.” 3

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3