Country's improving peace owed to APS martyrs: Gen Bajwa

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday said the sacrifice of Army Public School (APS) martyrs has not gone in vain and the country's improving peace is owed to them, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). 

The army chief's statement came on the third anniversary of the attack on APS which killed more than 140 people. 

The statement from the army chief added that the sacrifice of the children and their families remains unforgettable. 

"It symbolises our undeterred resolve in love of our motherland," said General Bajwa.

While visiting the Army's marksmanship firing range near Jhelum later in the day, the army chief remarked that a lot more needs to be done before the enemy is defeated.

He added that the country will never forget the tragedy of December 16.

Earlier today, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi said Dec 16, 2014, will be remembered as a black day in the history of the world, when inhumane terrorists attacked innocent children.

He said that the sacrifices rendered by the Pakistani nation are unmatched. "The nation gave the sacrifice of life and property in the war against terrorism," he added.

The premier stated in his message further that extremism is the tree from which the poisonous fruit of terrorism grows.

"The army’s day-and-night hard work and sacrifice has broken the terrorists’ back. The army, security forces defeated terrorists via the National Action Plan," he added. 

On December 16, 2014, terrorists stormed the army-run school and killed around 150 people, including more than 130 young students. 

The incident shook the country and resulted in the formation of a National Action Plan to stem extremism and terrorism from the country, as well as the creation of military courts to try 'hardcore' terrorists.