2 children killed, 6 injured in Pakistan school van attack

Islamabad, Aug 22 (EFE) – At least two children were killed and six others injured when gunmen opened fire on a school van in Pakistan’s Punjab province on Thursday, police said.

The van was en route to school when unidentified militants on a motorcycle attacked it in the Dheri Kot area of Attock district, Punjab.

“Unknown armed men opened fire on a school van, killing two young girls,” local police officer Abid Munir told EFE.

The officer said the children were in a Suzuki pickup heading to school, with the deceased girls seated in the front near the driver, who was also injured along with five other children.

“According to initial investigations, the driver had a personal enmity with some individuals who targeted him today, also harming the school children,” said Munir.

Police have launched a manhunt to apprehend the culprits.

Another police officer, Muhammed Atif, said the children aged between five to 12 years.

Atif said the injured have been shifted to a hospital.

Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi condemned the incident and also expressed grief and sorrow over the deaths.

“Those who target innocent children do not deserve to be called human beings,” the minister said. EFE

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