20 killed in university attack as violence escalates in north-western Pakistan

An attack on a university in north-western Pakistan has killed at least 20 people and injured 50 others. Gunmen targeted the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) on 20 January. Four attackers were reportedly involved, and the gun battle with security forces is believed to have lasted for several hours. Umar Mansoor, a senior Pakistani Taliban commander, claimed responsibility for the attack, but Mohammad Khurasani, the group’s spokesman, later denied that the group was involved and called the attack “unIslamic”. Khurasani was the mastermind behind the widely condemned attack on a school in Peshawar (capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) in December 2014, in which more than 140 people (most of them children) were killed. The university attack followed a suicide bomb attack on 19 January at a police checkpoint on the outskirts of Peshawar. At least 10 people killed and 20 others injured when the attacker rode his motorbike up to the checkpoint and detonated his explosives. The region has seen a dramatic upswing in fighting between the Pakistani Taliban and security forces, and these attacks follow a call on 18 January for the Taliban to join the continuing peace talks with representatives from Afghanistan, China, Pakistan and the United States.

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At least 20 people have been killed and 51 wounded after a group of suspected Taliban gunmen attacked a university in Pakistan.

The army and police have now cleared the Bacha Khan University campus in Charsadda, in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Three students, at least one professor, and members of the police force all lost their lives in the violent attack. Many of those who died were shot in the head, according to reports.

Militants stormed the university and opened fire on Wednesday morning. Security forces then entered the campus to try to bring the situation under control.

A heavy gun battle ensued for several hours and four gunmen were killed by security officials.

Although the death toll is yet to be confirmed, with reports putting it at 20 or 21, a security official fears it could climb to 40.

Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Umar Mansoor, a senior Pakistani Taliban commander who masterminded the Peshawar school attack in December 2014. He said four of his men were involved.

However, Mohammad Khurasani, the main spokesman for the Pakistan Taliban said the attack was "un-Islamic" and denied that the group was responsible, the BBC reported.

Following the attack, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said: "We are determined and resolved in our community to wipe out the menace of terrorism from our homeland."

Narendra Modi, the Prime Minister of India, said: "Strongly condemn the terror attack at Bacha Khan University in Pakistan. Condolences to families of the deceased. Prayers with the injured."

In pictures: Pakistan university attack Show all 10 1 / 10 In pictures: Pakistan university attack In pictures: Pakistan university attack Pakistani rescuers shift an injured man to a hospital following an attack by gunmen in the Bacha Khan university in Charsadda, about 50 kilometres from Peshawar. At least 21 people died in an armed assault on a university in Pakistan, where witnesses reported two large explosions as security forces moved in under dense fog to halt the bloodshed In pictures: Pakistan university attack Rescue workers shout to clear the way for an ambulance transporting injured victims from Bacha Khan University in Charsadda AP In pictures: Pakistan university attack A Pakistani army armoured vehicle (R) enters the Bacha Khan university following an attack by gunmen in Charsadda Getty Images In pictures: Pakistan university attack Pakistani rescuers shift an injured man at a hospital following an attack by gunmen at Bacha Khan university in Charsadda Getty Images In pictures: Pakistan university attack Pakistani troops arrive at Bacha Khan University in Charsadda AP In pictures: Pakistan university attack Pakistani rescuers shift an injured victim outside the Bacha Khan university following an attack by gunmen in Charsadda Getty Images In pictures: Pakistan university attack Pakistani police and onlookers gather in front of a hospital following an attack by gunmen at Bacha Khan university in Charsadda Getty Images In pictures: Pakistan university attack An ambulance carrying injured victims enters a hospital following an attack by gunmen at Bacha Khan university in Charsadda Getty Images In pictures: Pakistan university attack Pakistani rescuers shift an injured man into a hospital following an attack by gunmen at Bacha Khan university in Charsadda Getty Images In pictures: Pakistan university attack Pakistani rescuers carry coffins at a hospital following an attack by gunment at Bacha Khan university in Charsadda Getty Images

Police said the militants managed to enter the campus buildings on Wednesday morning after scaling the walls of the university, which is situated 35km away from Peshawar. Two explosions were heard inside.

Soldiers were seen entering the university as ambulances parked outside the main gate.

TV footage shows heavily armed soldiers entering the campus (Reuters)

Earlier, police chief Saeed Wazir said 70 per cent of the students had been rescued.

“All students have been evacuated from the hostels, but militants are still hiding in different parts of the university and some students and staff are stuck inside."

Shabir Khan, a lecturer, was about to leave the hostel for the English department when the attack began.

“Most of the students and staff were in classes when the firing began.”

Security personnel take up positions outside the university (AFP/Getty Images)

“I have no idea about what’s going on but I heard one security official talking on the phone to someone and said many people had been killed and injured,” said Mr Khan.

The Bacha Khan University is named after the founder of a liberal, anti-Taliban political party. The party has in the past been targeted by the Pakistani Taliban for its anti-militant policies.

Following the massacre of more than 150 people at a school in Peshawar in December 2014, carried out by gunmen believed to be linked to the Taliban, hundreds of suspected militants in Pakistan have been killed and arrested in a major crackdown.

Additional reporting by agencies