CHARSADDA: Police and security forces have arrested 15 suspects during search operations carried out after Wednesday’s attack on the Bacha Khan University.

The death toll from the carnage rose to 21 after Mohammad Fayyaz, an employee of the university, succumbed to his injuries in Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital on Thursday morning.

An FIR was registered against the four attackers at the Sardheri police station in Charsadda. They were eliminated during a military-led operation at the university.

Charsadda DPO Sohail Khalid told reporters that 10 of the suspects had been arrested by police during search operations in the vicinity of the university. Another five suspects were picked up by security forces.

He claimed that the arrested men had links with militants.

FIR lodged against attackers; death toll rises to 21

The DPO said police had obtained CCTV footages and other evidence from the university for investigation.

He claimed that prior to the attack the district police had issued an advisory to all educational institutions to enhance their security. The BKU administration was also advised a deputy superintendent of police to improve the university’s security.

Mr Khalid said that at present the university was being guarded by police. He said police would soon discuss the matter with heads of all public and private educational institutions in the district.

The FIR against the four attackers was lodged by the SHO of Sardheri police station under the Pakistan Panel Code, Explosives Act, Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and the Arms Act.

Security officials said that two of the attackers had been identified – one belonged to Sararogha area of South Waziristan and the other was a resident of Swat. The other two were underage and there was no record of their nationality.

Meanwhile, Dr Fazl Rahim Marwat, Vice Chancellor of BKU, announced that the university would open on Monday. All other educational institutions will open on Friday.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2016