Bomb attack on Pakistani school kills two, wounds 14,among them seven children

(January 19, 2011) An attack by Islamic militants on a Pakistani school on Wednesday has caused two deaths and 14 wounded, including seven children. The attack has been strongly condemned by the Diocese of Peshawar, a priest told AsiaNews. Fr. Francis Sohail said "This is a brutal act, no religion can justify the killing of innocent children. These extremists are against education for women. To us, education is a ray of hope an we urge the government to ensure that this ray of hope spreads across Pakistan". The powerful bomb exploded Wednesday morning outside a school in the centre of Peshawar, in the crowded Notia Jadded neighbourhood. According to Chief of rescue operations, Muhammad Ejaz Khan, it was a remote-controlled bomb in a cart. He said the death toll could have been much higher, if the bomb had exploded half an hour later, as many students had not yet reached the school. Police have arrested two suspects, currently being interrogated. The building has been damaged, and the whole area is closed by a cordon of officers.
Peshawar is the capital of the province of Khyber Pakhtun-khwa, and militants often target military and civilian targets of the government, particularly schools.