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Social media remembers Peshawar school attacks

Kait BolongaroDecember 15, 2015

One year after an attack on a military school in Peshawar killed more than 140 people, students, parents and Pakistan’s armed forces are honoring the victims on social media.

https://p.dw.com/p/1HNlM
Pakistan erster Jahrestag nach dem Terrorangriff auf die Schule in Peschawar
Image: privat

It was the deadliest attack in Pakistan's history. More than 140 people, mostly students, were killed by militant gunmen at the Army Public School (APS) in Peshawar on December 16th, 2014. On the eve of the one year anniversary of the tragedy, Pakistani citizens are banding together on social media to remember the victims.

On Twitter, hashtags like , meaning 'We have to educate the children of our enemies' in Urdu, #NeverForget and #APSAttack, are being used to commemorate the attacks.

Students are showing their resilience by continuing to smile despite the gruesome nature of the anniversary.

This user says "We have to smile to hurt the enemy."

A drawing by an anonymous student shows that "the best way to bring peace to the world is education."

Grieving families are also turning to social media. Some are sharing how they've honored the memory of their children. Many consider the fallen students to be martyrs.

One year later, many Pakistanis remain outraged by the Taliban-led massacre. The entire country is showing its support for the victims and their families. The message is clear: education is the path to peace.

The placard reads "Martyrs don't die. APS. We won't forget."

Pakistan Armed Forces have turned to social media as well, and released a video filmed at APS commemorating the victims of the December 16, 2014 massacre. Students sing that the best way of seeking revenge is to educate the 'enemy's' children, referring to fighting terrorism with literacy and education. Here is a short excerpt:

Lieutenant General Asim Bajwa, director of the army's public relations department, posted the clip on his official Facebook page. Bajwa was the same general who live tweeted during rescue operations at the school.

The main memorial event will be held at the school today, with the political and military leadership of the country participating in it, including Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and army chief Raheel Sharif.

On Facebook, several memorial events have sprung up across Pakistan. Several hundred people are expected at the APS Peace Walk in Karachi today.