Terrorists had no intention of taking hostages: ISPR
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PESHAWAR: The terrorists who attacked a school in Peshawar, had ‘no intention’ of taking hostages, rather they wished to kill as many people as possible.
This was said by DG ISPR Asim Bajwa during a media briefing in Peshawar on Tuesday night.
Bajwa described an assault that seemed designed purely to terrorize the children rather than take anyone hostage to further the militant group's aims.
“Their sole purpose, it seems, was to kill those innocent kids. That's what they did,” he said.
He briefed the media with details about the attack carried out by terrorists on a Peshawar school and said that 141 people were killed in the atrocity.
The dead included 132 children and 9 staff members of the school.
The DG ISPR said that 1099 children were registered at the school and that 960 people were rescued from the location.
“They started shooting the moment they entered the school premises,” he said.
“No one could have imagined that terrorists would have targeted innocent children like this,” Bajwa said.
He said that all seven dead terrorists had suicide jackets on them.
“Forget about being Muslims, these terrorists are not even human,” he said.
The DG ISPR said that the operation against the militants would continue and would not stop until every one of them were finished.
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On DawnNews
Comments (76) Closed
Dec 16, 2014 09:24pm
can you suffer them from the same pain as they did to us?
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Dec 16, 2014 09:25pm
Believe it or not, we Indians are shoulder to shoulder with you guys too. The worst day of the year!
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Dec 16, 2014 09:30pm
Very well said, they are not even humans.
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Dec 16, 2014 09:50pm
@ERo Thanks
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Dec 16, 2014 09:55pm
Shame on those who are funding them.
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Dec 16, 2014 09:56pm
I am from India and I am so saddened with this act , These were Kids and no one hurts kids ,such a colossal loss of humanity , I am completely at loss of words to express my profound grief . May God Bless the souls of these Tiny Tots .
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Dec 16, 2014 10:05pm
Need clarification on a couple of points:
1) First he said the militants were not there to have hostages but at the end he spoke about hostages.
2) He said that there were wearing suicide jackets but he also mentioned that initially the militants were trying to escape.
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Dec 16, 2014 10:19pm
@ERo Thank you.
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Dec 16, 2014 10:22pm
Rest In Peace.... no Body can replace them. Allah give their families courage to bear that lose. worst day in my life
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Dec 16, 2014 10:24pm
Who created these heartless animals? If we have to survive as a cultured society then we need to answer these questions and punish the guilty. Otherwise we all will become like these heartless animals.
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Dec 16, 2014 10:44pm
Allah will punish all those who killed children today in Peshawar and elsewhere in the past for no reason. I feel extreme pain for all the parents and relatives of the innocents who lost their lives. May Allah grant them jannah, and strength and courage to their families. May Allah bring peace to the entire world. Ameen!
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Dec 16, 2014 10:46pm
Where is Hafiz saeed ? He should send his followers to free the tribal areas from Taliban rather than talking about freeing kashmir from India.
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Dec 16, 2014 10:49pm
“Forget about being Muslims, these terrorists are not even human,” he said.
The above lines sums up the story. So they must have converted to some other religion before entering the ill fated school....wow what a logic.....For how long we muslims keep living in denial?
I am surprised he didn't pointed any finger at India.
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Dec 16, 2014 10:50pm
It is extremely sad moment for the subcontinent. It is very sad to see so many children butchered so mercilessly. The whole terror machinery should be dismantled. There are no good terrorists and bad terrorists, all are the same and should be finished once and for all.
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Dec 16, 2014 11:02pm
What about other schools? Schools must have a foolproof security now. We must protect our kids. There is nothing more important than our kids.
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Dec 16, 2014 11:05pm
Extremely disturbing, my wife was crying for hours after seeing the news in TV. Its time for Pakistan to term Terrorists as Terrorists whether against Pakistan or against India.
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Dec 16, 2014 11:07pm
Pain, cry, sorrow, anger, revenge,vengeance battles out inside me.. feel lyk chopping those responsible.. offer me a visa.. i ll
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Dec 16, 2014 11:07pm
Please please, do not bury these inhumane terrorists anywhere in the land of Pakistan. These people should be burnt and there should be no trace of them anywhere left.
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Dec 16, 2014 11:19pm
Oh Lord have mercy!! These innocent kids had just started to learn about life and how beautiful it can be.. They did not deserve this..no kid on the face of this planet deserves this.. no one deserves this.. Hey bhagwaan thodi madat kar insaan ki aur kuch akal de aise logon ko.. Broken hearts and Prayers from India!!
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Dec 16, 2014 11:27pm
Condolences from across the border to the lved ones of all kids and teachers who fell pray to this dastartdly terror attack. Also I hope Gof gives strength to the kids who were there and survived and are scarred by this horrible incident.
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Dec 16, 2014 11:59pm
@Srini ( India ) Please keep politics out of kids blood.
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Dec 17, 2014 12:03am
Can't stop crying!
So so so sad
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Dec 17, 2014 12:24am
I refuse to accept any 'mourning' statement by the officials appointed to run this country. Your child was not there feeling helpless when they were taking his life away among his friends who could not have done anything to save themselves. Your child is the one who goes to school in a bulletproof while security personnel wait outside and you can't even take a step without that protocol reflecting your 'importance' which was of no use today. Yes, that position you flaunt never did anything for the innocent ones neither it will. Get your act together!
May the little angels and everyone else who departed today reside in the highest ranks of Jannah. May their families get the strength to hang in there. Ameen!
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Dec 17, 2014 12:57am
Prayers for all. Don't have words today. Pain is boundless. May be some day the world will be a saner place.
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Dec 17, 2014 01:21am
This is our 9/11! I hope Pakistan does not repeat the mistakes of the Americans, but do directly after the problem and eliminate them from the face of the earth. We have the means and now we have the will!
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Dec 17, 2014 01:39am
Almighty Allah will punish them soon,they just killed the innocent kids they won't get away.
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Dec 17, 2014 01:51am
It is the height of terrorism. Human kind must realize now from all parts of the world, that terrorism has no religion. Killing of innocent childern in school is height of radicalized fanatics,brain and heartless people. All communities from Muslim, Hindu, Christian, jews must come together and work together to wipe out terrorism from the globe. No good Taliban or bad taliban. Terrorism is bad in all it's forms and shape , whatever it may be. I prey to god for all families of victims to give them strength to live with this pain for rest of their lives. I know parents of those kids will never forget this day. Certainly wake up call for Muslims around the word. I am a Jain, but i respect all religions and above all humanity.
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Dec 17, 2014 01:55am
This is why Malala can not return to Pakistan. All peace loving Pakistanis -- yes, there are still many-- must contact Malala and ask her to continue to live overseas for as long as it takes to let her live in safety and security.
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Dec 17, 2014 02:14am
@Rafay Ahmad : Summa Aameen! (Arjoon, Indian brother together with you and every affected individual in this hour of need.)
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Dec 17, 2014 02:17am
we as a nation stand no where...
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Dec 17, 2014 02:21am
Is it time for peace talks over samosas and tea again? PLEASE USE EVERY MEANS AVAILABLE TO MANKIND to eliminate these taliban and terrorists from our planet once and for all!
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Dec 17, 2014 03:17am
Every time I think something is worse and nothing bad can happen more than that these terrorist attacks prove me wrong. A new low in humanity. How can they do this? When I see photos of these children I felt like crying. Does not matter I am an Indian or Pakistani. I pray to the government of both countries to unite against this barbarism.
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Dec 17, 2014 03:42am
This is Enough is Enough, Children are non political, even from Pakistan or USA.....Kids should be out of wars
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Dec 17, 2014 04:06am
We must impose a 1% security tax on all incomes, be it incomes from salary, business profits, agriculture, capital gain or what ever. It will generate some 12 billion rupees and you can also add 0,50 % on all remmitances from us who live abroad. It all will generate some 30 billion which should be spent to raise a 50.000 strong new police trained by army on standards of their own and then should be supplemented with police school education in regards to investigation.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:39am
"Forget about being Muslims, these terrorists are not even human,” You are so right Bajwa sahib.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:42am
I am also an Indian but settled in Canada. I mourn the death of those angels and pray for complete recover of those who are injured. My sympathies and prayers for the families and loved ones.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:44am
I feel so much pain I can't express in words
Me , my family and everyone in India share your pain and sorrow, we are with the parents of these kids,
We keep these children and their parents in our prayers .
Beslan in Russia (2003) , Sandyhook in US (2012) and now in Peshawar in Pakistan school children were targeted why?
The people who have killed these children were also once children and been to school , how can they kill kids? :(
No army or police can protect you from these kind of acts, People of this nation should change and must act now by not let any of their children join these groups who teaches violence.
People of Pakistan must act against this impotent Govt.
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Dec 17, 2014 04:50am
@ERo Thanks
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Dec 17, 2014 05:10am
@Javed. Just read the Quran.
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Dec 17, 2014 05:37am
@Javed It needs no words the deeds peak for itself,
I would not like to discus on the subject. What I would like to add y two sense is.
1. Education give people full access to educate and educate them in all the fields of science Finance and likewise.
2. Give them gainful employment.
This will elevate the underline problems
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Dec 17, 2014 05:59am
This is senseless ,brutal and barbaric.
We pray god for innocent lives
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Dec 17, 2014 06:01am
This is senseless,brutal and barbaric.
We pray god
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Dec 17, 2014 06:33am
Is military the right force to use here? Do we have police, or some other squads/forces who can handle such situations well than the military. I feel that the death roll could be much less had we used specific force, which is design to work situations like these. The work requires a multifunctional tasks, from investigators, to negotiators, to commandos, to heavily armed police etc...The objective of the force is to achieve zero deaths of civilians using all the means they have in their disposable.
I just feel military is not trained and designed for such operations, and its use in such operations is highly likely to produce high civilian deaths. Read the heading, it seems military is defending its role here!
Unfortunately, our govt and the courts are highly incapable of running the country, which are comprised of incapable ministers/honorable judges who works to safeguard their own interests only.
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Dec 17, 2014 06:39am
Enough! So Sorry! So Sad!
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Dec 17, 2014 06:48am
Its high time the ongoing operation is stepped up a notch.
Every citizen of Pakistan is needed to fight these extremists. They must be exposed wherever they are. Their sleeper cells, their training bases, their shelters, their sympathizers.
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Dec 17, 2014 07:16am
Why military uniforms and similar looking items are on sale in every street market especially in Quetta and Peshawar? Why the death sentence has been lifted form our courts? why so many Taliban leaders were released from prisons? Who is answerable to these questions.
The country's media must stop calling them Tehreke-Talbian-Pakistan, the country's name can not be associated with such barbarians, they are terrorists and not Pakistanis.
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Dec 17, 2014 07:36am
What happened in Peshawar is indeed horrible. But sadly no one is talking about the basics. Who are Taliban? What is their education? What do they stand for? What are their goals? Who created them? These and similar questions need serious consideration?
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Dec 17, 2014 07:57am
@mohan kagini I agree with you 200%
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Dec 17, 2014 08:27am
The world will think a thousand times before they begin an operation in Pakistan. It could not possibly be anything similar to the ones they attempted in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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Dec 17, 2014 08:28am
@independentthinker Its not 9/11.. that was saddened .. but this is horryfying that shows how far these cruel animals can go... life of chidren are very very important than adults...its called a massacre of humanity... we should say HUMANITY RIP . :(
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Dec 17, 2014 08:48am
Appropriate statistics might help in making a decision as to what ought to be done. Relevant economic economic backgrounds of the parents of the martyred children ought to be published to whatever extent it is possible.
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Dec 17, 2014 08:55am
Pakistani armed and security forces need to avenge this immense loss now!
Pakistanis have suffered enough. NO MORE.
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Dec 17, 2014 09:07am
Mr bajwa tell your chief to do something for the county. Do not act cowderdly.
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Dec 17, 2014 09:07am
@mohan kagini this is not the time for such comments...from India
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Dec 17, 2014 09:08am
@shahid You want to recommend taxation when politicians are desperately disputing representation.
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Dec 17, 2014 09:10am
@Owais Mangal well said
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Dec 17, 2014 09:13am
Just dropped my son to school and on the radio I heard a man saying his colleague lost his 3 sons yesterday in this incident, since then my eyes are filled with tears. He need a really big heart and there are many more like him. I just don't know what to say or what practically can I do to save ourselves from this. What can I do which can reduce little bit pain of those people who has actually lost their precious jewels in this barbaric and coward act. May Allah give them people patience and strength to bear this loss. Amen.
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Dec 17, 2014 09:20am
The whole world is with you and praying for you and your kids. We know tomorrow will come for everyone else but for those parents, tomorrow will never be the same. Our shoulders are there for you to lean upon and lend your strength to everyone in the world whoever is fighting these terrorists. Let us all promise that not a single life would be lost to terrorism anymore
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Dec 17, 2014 09:26am
@Malik Plan 'A' and Plan 'B' Malik, it is very easy to understand if your intention is right. Your's seems to be politically motivated and in the wrong place at the wrong time!
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Dec 17, 2014 09:41am
Time for Pakistan to stop distinguishing betwenn good and bad militants,and exterminate this evil god forsaken cowards from society and make them pay for their inhumane act,,RIP little brothers.
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Dec 17, 2014 09:43am
my request to world is that please support effort of our nation against terrorism. people start taking against pakistan when there is some misshape any where in the world but they ignore our sacrifices in this war for global peace. our soldiers,civilians and even innocent children are sacrificing their lives to eradicate this menace of terrorism. thanks for those who are expressing solidarity with us from india and around the world.
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Dec 17, 2014 09:44am
Ya Allah akhir kub tak aur kon kon Malik. Perwerdigaar rehem fermaday Malik. Madad fermaday.
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Dec 17, 2014 09:52am
Kill all these wild boars as soon as possible. Don't spare any of them.
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Dec 17, 2014 09:58am
We as Indians feel the pain that your country is going through right now. This should be a watershed event in fighting against terrorism and no distinction should be made between 'good' and 'bad' terrorists. Obliterate all these scums from your land (including the terrorists acting against Indian state).
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Dec 17, 2014 10:03am
I was really pained reading this news. This morning one of the new papers had the word Massacre in its headline. And when I was reading that news paper, my 8 year old daughter asked me what is the meaning of Massacre :(
May god bless these souls of cute little children.
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Dec 17, 2014 10:12am
once again security lapse
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Dec 17, 2014 10:48am
I am indian and this incident has sent shivers down my spine. My prayers are with the families of all the kids who lost their lives.
I have one simple question to Pakistan Government and Army, what are you doing, why can you control your land and eradicate all the terrorist activities thats being carried out in your country. And if its from some foreign land, why cant you secure your border. How will a mom send her kid to school after this incident. She will always have a fear is her kid safe and will he return alive. Wake up Pakistan before its too late.
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Dec 17, 2014 10:57am
@ERo
thank you!
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Dec 17, 2014 10:59am
I do not have any words of comfort for the grieving familiies. Not only the families carry this scar,also the entire
generation who are in schools in Pakistan. The students who are supposed to learn lessons have to learn one more lesson that is how to survive in case of......
Parents and children will be under tremendous pressure when it comes to schooling.
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Dec 17, 2014 11:04am
After the national mourning is done. The general has had his threats delivered to the terrorists. The taliban have quietly celebrated their response to the Waziristan operations.
There is only one thing that is going to remain. A mother and father that have lost their children and the gut wrenching sorrow that they have to live with for the rest of their lives. It might sound strange, but the sorrow of loosing a child does not diminish, even if the "child" is grown up, is a Pakistani, an Indian or an afghan. There is not a bigger grief in human society than burying ones own child.
Having put this in context. The question to ask ourselves is. Where are these terrorists being born? Where are they living?
It is amongst us in the same society.
Now the bigger question. How do you win against "terrorists" that live amongst us in the same societies , cities and towns?
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Dec 17, 2014 11:26am
@Rafay Ahmad
Very well said Mr. Ahmad. I add. They don't eat the food we eat, they don't travel like we do, they don't live as we do, their children don't go to schools where our children go. The DONT know the pains of being without electricity and water. Still they are our leaders.
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Dec 17, 2014 11:40am
Poor innocent kids who were not enemy of anyone are being killed for no mistake of their own.
Terrorism has no religion no faith no loyalty no master...its a beast open in the wild...poisonous snakes need to be killed without any mercy.
Politicians & High profile people are well protected.
Is there anyone who will take the revenge for the common people who lost their kids??
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Dec 17, 2014 11:58am
Pakistani people have been suffering this kind of tragedies since a long time. And different people are giving different solutions to this problem. Some people are saying kill these terrorists and some are saying it is better to talk with them. But unfortunately both of these groups are not sincere in their intentions. This lack of sincerity is the basic reason of our problems. If really we want to solve these problems we have to make our policies straight. We can not solve the problem of these terrorists if we make our policies on the basis of classification of these bad guys. If we let the good guys to use our land and expect that we will have peace in our country then we are living in fools land. Our security establishment have to make very tough decisions to clean our country from these good and bad guys and stop the good guys to go to neighboring countries to create law and order situation there. This is the only way to live in peace and let the others live in peace. It is hoped our all leaders will learn lessons from our history.
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Dec 17, 2014 12:33pm
Allah will punish these criminal but we as Pakistani must wipe these people out and punish them for destroying 141 families. Their children will never come to their homes. No mercy and we should take this war to these criminals homes. No mercy!!!!!!
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Dec 17, 2014 01:40pm
I wonder why terrorists were carrying food for many days if they did not want to take hostages.
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Dec 17, 2014 01:42pm
They had food for weeks but did not want to take hostages? Does not make sense.
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