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| Pakistan to pursue terrorists even outside its borders | Pakistan to pursue terrorists even outside its borders |
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| PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistan’s prime minister vowed Wednesday to pursue terrorists even outside the country’s borders and lift a moratorium on the death penalty as mass funerals were held for at least 148 people, mostly schoolchildren, killed the day before in a Taliban siege at an army high school. | PESHAWAR, Pakistan — Pakistan’s prime minister vowed Wednesday to pursue terrorists even outside the country’s borders and lift a moratorium on the death penalty as mass funerals were held for at least 148 people, mostly schoolchildren, killed the day before in a Taliban siege at an army high school. |
| “We cannot take a step back from this war against terrorism,” Nawaz Sharif said, addressing a hastily called meeting of political parties in Peshawar, where Tuesday’s horrific school attack occurred. | “We cannot take a step back from this war against terrorism,” Nawaz Sharif said, addressing a hastily called meeting of political parties in Peshawar, where Tuesday’s horrific school attack occurred. |
| The fight would spill over “on the Afghan side of the border,” he added, after speaking with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. | The fight would spill over “on the Afghan side of the border,” he added, after speaking with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani. |
| It was not clear what actions that might entail. But such a cross-border offensive would mark a significant shift in Pakistan’s tactics against Taliban militants, whose strongholds and supply lines straddle the frontier . | It was not clear what actions that might entail. But such a cross-border offensive would mark a significant shift in Pakistan’s tactics against Taliban militants, whose strongholds and supply lines straddle the frontier . |
| Sharif said a meeting between Pakistani officials and Ghani in Kabul was “successful,” adding that “important decisions were made that need to be implemented.” | Sharif said a meeting between Pakistani officials and Ghani in Kabul was “successful,” adding that “important decisions were made that need to be implemented.” |
| Meanwhile, prayer vigils were held across Pakistan to mourn those killed Tuesday after seven Taliban gunmen — with explosives strapped to their bodies — scaled a back wall to enter the Army Public School and College, which includes many students whose parents serve in the armed forces. | Meanwhile, prayer vigils were held across Pakistan to mourn those killed Tuesday after seven Taliban gunmen — with explosives strapped to their bodies — scaled a back wall to enter the Army Public School and College, which includes many students whose parents serve in the armed forces. |
| A death toll of 141 was announced hours after security forces reclaimed control of the school and killed the attackers. But the figure rose overnight to at least 148, according to the Associated Press, with more than 120 people injured. | A death toll of 141 was announced hours after security forces reclaimed control of the school and killed the attackers. But the figure rose overnight to at least 148, according to the Associated Press, with more than 120 people injured. |
| Students and teachers were shot and some of the female teachers burned alive in an attack that shocked a country accustomed to terrorist assaults. Army commandos fought the militants in a day-long battle. | Students and teachers were shot and some of the female teachers burned alive in an attack that shocked a country accustomed to terrorist assaults. Army commandos fought the militants in a day-long battle. |
| The assault was an apparent retaliation for an ongoing army operation, after years of ambivalent policies toward homegrown Islamist militants. | The assault was an apparent retaliation for an ongoing army operation, after years of ambivalent policies toward homegrown Islamist militants. |
| A statement posted Wednesday by the Pakistani Taliban said it took the “extreme step” of targeting the school in response to the deaths of children and other civilians from the military’s crackdowns in Taliban-held areas, according to the SITE monitoring service, which tracks militant groups. | A statement posted Wednesday by the Pakistani Taliban said it took the “extreme step” of targeting the school in response to the deaths of children and other civilians from the military’s crackdowns in Taliban-held areas, according to the SITE monitoring service, which tracks militant groups. |
| The Taliban statement, attributed to spokesman Muhammad Khurasani, listed demands that included a halt to military operations in tribal areas. Otherwise, it warned, there will be more attacks against “all the organizations associated with security forces.” | The Taliban statement, attributed to spokesman Muhammad Khurasani, listed demands that included a halt to military operations in tribal areas. Otherwise, it warned, there will be more attacks against “all the organizations associated with security forces.” |
| The military said Wednesday that it has carried out 20 airstrikes since the school massacre, killing 57 militants. | |
| In a sign that Pakistan could be preparing to expand its offensive, the country’s powerful military chief made an emergency visit to Kabul to meet with Ghani and Gen. John F. Campbell, commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan. | In a sign that Pakistan could be preparing to expand its offensive, the country’s powerful military chief made an emergency visit to Kabul to meet with Ghani and Gen. John F. Campbell, commander of coalition forces in Afghanistan. |
| Speaking to reporters, Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa, chief spokesman for the Pakistan military, said army intelligence officers believe they know where the attack was masterminded. Bajwa declined to pin the blame on militants residing in Afghanistan, but many Pakistani Taliban leaders are thought to reside in eastern Afghanistan. | Speaking to reporters, Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa, chief spokesman for the Pakistan military, said army intelligence officers believe they know where the attack was masterminded. Bajwa declined to pin the blame on militants residing in Afghanistan, but many Pakistani Taliban leaders are thought to reside in eastern Afghanistan. |
| “We will not rest unless and until every terrorist is killed,” Sharif said at the Peshawar meeting. “We cannot take a step back from this war against terrorism. There is no room for that, especially after the tragedy that occurred at the school.” | “We will not rest unless and until every terrorist is killed,” Sharif said at the Peshawar meeting. “We cannot take a step back from this war against terrorism. There is no room for that, especially after the tragedy that occurred at the school.” |
| The prime minister also approved the decision of a ministerial committee to lift the death penalty, said Mohiuddin Wani, an official close to the Pakistani leader. | The prime minister also approved the decision of a ministerial committee to lift the death penalty, said Mohiuddin Wani, an official close to the Pakistani leader. |
| “It was decided that this moratorium should be lifted,” he said. “The prime minister approved.” | “It was decided that this moratorium should be lifted,” he said. “The prime minister approved.” |
| The mass targeting of children, in a military zone in the northwestern city of Peshawar, drew condemnation from around the world, as well as from across Pakistan’s political and religious spectrums — a rare display of unity in a country where Islamist violence is often quietly accepted and sometimes defended. Taliban leaders in Afghanistan also condemned the attack. | The mass targeting of children, in a military zone in the northwestern city of Peshawar, drew condemnation from around the world, as well as from across Pakistan’s political and religious spectrums — a rare display of unity in a country where Islamist violence is often quietly accepted and sometimes defended. Taliban leaders in Afghanistan also condemned the attack. |
| The government declared a three-day mourning period, starting Wednesday. Some of the funerals were held overnight, but most of the children and staff killed were due to be buried Wednesday. | The government declared a three-day mourning period, starting Wednesday. Some of the funerals were held overnight, but most of the children and staff killed were due to be buried Wednesday. |
| Some analysts suggested that after years of suicide bombings and attacks on markets, mosques, hotels and military bases, the insurgents had finally gone too far and that widespread public outrage over this attack might signal a decisive turn in the nation’s — and the government’s — reluctance to fully take on the Taliban. | Some analysts suggested that after years of suicide bombings and attacks on markets, mosques, hotels and military bases, the insurgents had finally gone too far and that widespread public outrage over this attack might signal a decisive turn in the nation’s — and the government’s — reluctance to fully take on the Taliban. |
| The massacre was the most intimate assault to date on Pakistan’s military, the nation’s most respected and powerful institution. The only comparable incident was in December 2009, when a small group of assailants penetrated army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi and killed more than 30 people praying at an army mosque. | The massacre was the most intimate assault to date on Pakistan’s military, the nation’s most respected and powerful institution. The only comparable incident was in December 2009, when a small group of assailants penetrated army headquarters in the garrison city of Rawalpindi and killed more than 30 people praying at an army mosque. |
| The death toll Tuesday also rivaled one of the highest in Pakistan in recent years, when suicide bombings in 2007 killed about 150 people in the port city of Karachi during celebrations to welcome former prime minister Benazir Bhutto back to Pakistan after years in self-exile. Bhutto was assassinated soon after. | The death toll Tuesday also rivaled one of the highest in Pakistan in recent years, when suicide bombings in 2007 killed about 150 people in the port city of Karachi during celebrations to welcome former prime minister Benazir Bhutto back to Pakistan after years in self-exile. Bhutto was assassinated soon after. |
| Yet even when previous attacks have drawn strong condemnation and vows of action from military officials, Pakistan’s military and intelligence establishment has remained deeply ambivalent about taking on the domestic Islamist forces and has often been accused of playing a double game in its partnership with the West in the war on terrorism. | Yet even when previous attacks have drawn strong condemnation and vows of action from military officials, Pakistan’s military and intelligence establishment has remained deeply ambivalent about taking on the domestic Islamist forces and has often been accused of playing a double game in its partnership with the West in the war on terrorism. |
| One chief reason is that such extremist groups have long acted as proxies in Pakistan’s rivalry with neighbor India, an issue that trumps all others for Pakistan’s security leaders. Terrorist attacks are routinely decried as the work of unknown foreign hands. | One chief reason is that such extremist groups have long acted as proxies in Pakistan’s rivalry with neighbor India, an issue that trumps all others for Pakistan’s security leaders. Terrorist attacks are routinely decried as the work of unknown foreign hands. |
| Pakistan’s civilian leaders, for their part, have long deferred to the army on security and foreign policy, and they have been reluctant to act against Islamist violence, for fear of alienating the nation’s deeply religious Muslim masses and organized groups. | Pakistan’s civilian leaders, for their part, have long deferred to the army on security and foreign policy, and they have been reluctant to act against Islamist violence, for fear of alienating the nation’s deeply religious Muslim masses and organized groups. |
| “Despite this national tragedy, I don’t see any chance of the nation as a whole building an anti-terrorism narrative,” said Aftab Khan Sherpao, a veteran Pakistani legislator from the northwest. | “Despite this national tragedy, I don’t see any chance of the nation as a whole building an anti-terrorism narrative,” said Aftab Khan Sherpao, a veteran Pakistani legislator from the northwest. |
| He noted that a variety of religious and political leaders have “deep sympathy” for the militants. | He noted that a variety of religious and political leaders have “deep sympathy” for the militants. |
| “For now they may tone down their support,” he said, but in time they will “start showing their true colors again.” | “For now they may tone down their support,” he said, but in time they will “start showing their true colors again.” |
| The army, however, has always been attuned to public opinion, and Tuesday’s attack provoked a remarkably swift, broad and emphatic outpouring of revulsion and anger. | The army, however, has always been attuned to public opinion, and Tuesday’s attack provoked a remarkably swift, broad and emphatic outpouring of revulsion and anger. |
| “Today is the saddest day of the history of our nation,” said Haniyah Siddiqui, 18, who was shopping in Karachi. “It is high time to make up our mind to fight terrorists and eliminate them in toto, not just mourning or condemning the tragic incident.” | “Today is the saddest day of the history of our nation,” said Haniyah Siddiqui, 18, who was shopping in Karachi. “It is high time to make up our mind to fight terrorists and eliminate them in toto, not just mourning or condemning the tragic incident.” |
| Sharif, who rushed to Peshawar, denounced the assault as a “cowardly act” and vowed to continue the military action “until the menace of terrorism is eliminated” from Pakistan. “The nation needs to get united and face terrorism,” he added. “We need unflinching resolve against this plague.” | Sharif, who rushed to Peshawar, denounced the assault as a “cowardly act” and vowed to continue the military action “until the menace of terrorism is eliminated” from Pakistan. “The nation needs to get united and face terrorism,” he added. “We need unflinching resolve against this plague.” |
| Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager and Taliban attack survivor who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting girls’ education, said from Britain that she was “heartbroken” by “these atrocious and cowardly acts” but vowed that even as she and millions mourn the students’ deaths, “we will never be defeated.” | Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani teenager and Taliban attack survivor who recently won the Nobel Peace Prize for promoting girls’ education, said from Britain that she was “heartbroken” by “these atrocious and cowardly acts” but vowed that even as she and millions mourn the students’ deaths, “we will never be defeated.” |
| Her denunciation was echoed by Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the leader of Pakistan’s Jamaat-ud-Dawa Islamist movement, whose followers were blamed for a 2008 terrorist siege on the Indian city of Mumbai. Saeed said the attack was “carried out by the enemies of Islam. It is open terrorism. . . . These are barbarians operating under the name of jihad.” | Her denunciation was echoed by Hafiz Mohammad Saeed, the leader of Pakistan’s Jamaat-ud-Dawa Islamist movement, whose followers were blamed for a 2008 terrorist siege on the Indian city of Mumbai. Saeed said the attack was “carried out by the enemies of Islam. It is open terrorism. . . . These are barbarians operating under the name of jihad.” |
| Even the Afghan Taliban, which operates separately from the Pakistani group but shares a religious agenda, took the unusual step of indirectly condemning the attack. A statement from spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said, “The intentional killing of innocent people, women and children are against the basics of Islam, and this criterion must be considered by every Islamic party and government.” | Even the Afghan Taliban, which operates separately from the Pakistani group but shares a religious agenda, took the unusual step of indirectly condemning the attack. A statement from spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said, “The intentional killing of innocent people, women and children are against the basics of Islam, and this criterion must be considered by every Islamic party and government.” |
| The school, while open to the public, is funded by Pakistan’s army, and many students are children of military personnel based in Peshawar. | The school, while open to the public, is funded by Pakistan’s army, and many students are children of military personnel based in Peshawar. |
| “My son was in uniform in the morning. He is in a casket now,” wailed one father, Tahir Ali, as he collected the body of his 14-year-old son, Abdullah, according to the Associated Press. “My son was my dream. My dream has been killed.” | “My son was in uniform in the morning. He is in a casket now,” wailed one father, Tahir Ali, as he collected the body of his 14-year-old son, Abdullah, according to the Associated Press. “My son was my dream. My dream has been killed.” |
| Pamela Constable reported from Kabul and Daniela Deane from Rome. Brian Murphy and Karen DeYoung in Washington, Aamir Iqbal and Haq Nawaz Khan in Peshawar, Shaiq Hussain in Islamabad and Nisar Mehdi in Karachi contributed to this report. | Pamela Constable reported from Kabul and Daniela Deane from Rome. Brian Murphy and Karen DeYoung in Washington, Aamir Iqbal and Haq Nawaz Khan in Peshawar, Shaiq Hussain in Islamabad and Nisar Mehdi in Karachi contributed to this report. |