PESHAWAR – The mastermind of Peshawar’s Army Public School attack – Umar Mansoor – of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban has claimed the attack on Bacha Khan University in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Charsadda town. Unidentified terrorists early in the morning entered Bacha Khan University outside Charsadda town on Wednesday and opened fire on students. The assault resulted in death of more than 21 students, including a chemistry professor and female students. Umar Mansoor – Taliban’s Geedar group leader and mastermind of deadly attack on the APS Peshawar in 2014 – took Facebook and shared a post in which he claimed the responsibility of Charsadda tragedy, adding that four attackers were sent to the university. However, Taliban spokesperson Mohammad Khorasani denied Mansoor’s claim and condemned the attack, terming it “against Shariah”. He also warned that those elements using the name of Taliban would be brought to justice. As the military officials announced the end of the clearance operation, mass casualties were feared in the attack reminiscent of the deadly December 2014 terrorist attack on the APS in Peshawar which left over 140 dead – most of them students. Media reports said that the four attackers were wearing suicide vests but were killed by security forces before they could detonate their explosives. Armed assailants scaled university walls and opened fire on students. Multiple blasts were also heard along with continuous heavy gunfire. Police sources confirmed 21 dead, including female students and a Chemistry professor. Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lt Gen Asim Bajwa said that the university premises had been cleared and four attackers had been killed. Security personnel, including Special Services Group (SSG) personnel were tasked with clearing the university premises and securing the civilians inside. Snipers had taken position around the premises, with monitoring being provided by aerial assets. Security forces also cordoned off a one-storey house, situated around a kilometre from the university’s boundary wall, where three terrorists were believed to be holed up. It was later declared clear by military officials. Provincial Minister Shah Farman told journalists 54 security guards were stationed at the university. He said that around 200 people were present in the examination hall, all of whom were rescued and timely action by police and army had prevented large scale damage. “The death toll in the terrorist attack has risen to 21,” regional police chief Saeed Wazir told AFP without specifying if the toll included the four militants the army stated it had killed. Most of the student victims were shot dead at a hostel for boys on the campus. An Edhi worker said that he had seen the bodies of at least 15 persons. One Rescue 1122 official said, “The hostel area had been affected. Victims had mostly been hit by bullets.” “Around 90 per cent of the area has been cleared. Over 70 per cent students have been rescued,” he said. Special assistant to chief minister Mushtaq Ghani said that the critically injured victims shifted to Peshawar’s Lady Reading Hospital and that security in the province has been on high alert for 10 days. DIG Saeed Wazir confirmed that two students and assistant professor Dr Hamid, who taught organic chemistry, had been killed in the attack. “All students have been evacuated from the hostels, but militants are still hiding in different parts of the university and some students and staff is stuck inside,” he said. Vice Chancellor Fazal Rahim told journalists that the university had over 3,000 students and was hosting an additional 600 visitors on Wednesday for the recital in memories of late Bacha Khan. “There are male and female staff members and students on the campus,” he said, adding that he had been on his way to work when he was informed of the attack. Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif reached Charsadda to boost the morale of the security personnel who took part in the operation. He was accompanied by Corps Commander Peshawar. Later, the army chief held high-level meeting with military officials in Corps Commander Headquarters Peshawar. The meeting condemned the brutality in Charsadda and appreciated quick response of security forces. The Army chief also visited DHQ Charsadda and asked victims about their health. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif also strongly condemned the Charsadda assault and termed it attack on Pakistan. He announced Thursday as national mourning day following the attack.