Two children were killed, and five others were injured when unidentified assailants opened fire on a school van in Dhirkot, Attock.
The attack occurred earlier on Thursday, with the gunmen fleeing the scene immediately after the assault.
Rescue teams arrived immediately, transferring the injured children and the bodies of the deceased to a nearby hospital. The children, aged between 10 and 12, were on their way to school when the attack took place. The deceased were identified as Rameen and Urwa Fatima.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to apprehend the culprits. Additional police personnel have been dispatched to ensure the arrest of those responsible for this heinous crime.
Later, the police claimed that initial investigation had revealed the attack occurred due to an old enmity of the school van driver, Afzaal, who was also shot at in the firing. He was also among those shifted to hospital for treatment, they added.
In response to the incident, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has taken notice and demanded a detailed report from the commissioner of Rawalpindi. She expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the two lives and directed health officials to provide the best possible care to the injured children.
