A Chemistry department professor was killed and more than 50 people including four security guards sustained injuries when armed militants stormed Bacha Khan University in Charsadda early morning today.
Security forces and police have launched operation and exchange of fire between the militants and the forces is underway.
Firing can be heard from inside the university where students, teachers and administration staff are present as of now.
Talking to a private TV channel, a woman inside the university said intense firing was underway. She was asking for help, saying assistance be sent to the premises.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Dr Fazal Rahim said four security guards were wounded in the terrorists attack. He said more than 3000 students are present in the varsity, adding that no student and teacher sustained injuries.
About 600 guests, arrived to participate in a Mushaira (poetry recital), are also stranded in the campus.
Inter Service Public Relations (ISPR) stated that Pak Army contingents have arrived at the campus and launched an operation.
DG ISPR Lt-Gen Asim Bajwa in a message on the micro blogging site Twitter said terrorists have been contained in two blocks within the varsity, adding that troops and special commandos are taking part in the operation, which is currently on going.
Sources said a professor of Chemistry Department, Dr Hamid has been killed in the firing, while more than 50 people have been shifted to hospital.
The Bacha Khan University in Charsadda is about 50 kilometres from Peshawar.
Police said they have killed two of the militants who attacked university.
An eyewitness told the media that there are at least 10 terrorists present inside the university.
Reuters Adds:
Three gunmen broke into the university and opened fire at students and teachers in classrooms and hostels.
There was no immediate report of casualties.
Two explosions were heard inside the university, a police official said.
Local police official Amjad Khan, who was outside the university, said firing was still going on inside the campus.
Deputy Inspector General Saeed Wazir told Reuters that the number of gunmen was unclear but police had moved into the university and a gunfight with the attackers was under way.
“We launched an operation inside the university and are trying to rescue the students and staff of the institution,” Wazir said.
Shabir Khan, a lecturer in the English department, said he was about to leave the hostel for the department when firing began.
“Most of the students and staff were in classes when the firing began,” Khan said.
“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.”
