Marked as the ‘Black Day‘ in Pakistan, 16th December evokes anguish and spine-chilling memories of the drab morning on which the Taliban assailants stormed the school and opened indiscriminate firing on the students. Each APS martyrs have set tales of bravery and uprightness against the cowardly terror attack on 16th December.
Social media users are convinced that the APS martyrs and their exceptional sacrifices are unforgettable. The survivors and the families of the victims are reprising the memories of their beloveds today on the fifth anniversary of the attack.
My son Haris Nawaz Shaheed, brother of @Ahmadnawazaps
16 Dec 2014.
He has shot bullets on his head 💔😭😭#APSPeshawar pic.twitter.com/RIR3wV3P2j— Muhammad Nawaz Khan (@MuhammaddNawaz) December 16, 2019
5 years ago butchers attacked our kids at #APSPeshawar
150 people including 134 children were martyred.
Today is the day to remember the families that sent their children to school¬ into a battle zone.
..to resolve that never again this should happen to any child.#APSMartyrs pic.twitter.com/b5dVJB9ZVv— Raza Ahmad Rumi (@Razarumi) December 16, 2019
As a parent, the thought of today is horrifying… many prayers for the parents who have had to endure the biggest loss imaginable…
Hug your kids #APSPeshawar #APSMartyrs pic.twitter.com/Q5jpKNcNcL
— Khurram Qureshi (@qureshik74) December 16, 2019
Army Public School attack is trending atop in the worldwide trends on social media. Colossal messages of solidarity and reverence for the APS victims flourished on Twitter.
Ministry of Overseas Pakistani and other notable figures shared their message for APS martyrs.
A day that can never be forgotten – A tragedy so intense it shook the nation to its core – the APS terror attack that took away the lives of so many innocent children along with their teachers. Tears and prayers are all we have left alongside a resolve to ensure "never again" . pic.twitter.com/761bn18YSu
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) December 16, 2019
Federal Minister of Human Rights, Shireen Mazari, in her Twitter message, expressed her pain which echoed the collective sentiments of the nation. She wrote that while Pakistan was shaken to the core it also pledged that to never let that happen again.
The spineless Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan had accepted the responsibility of the attack. The attack was said to be in vengeance of the military operation Zarb-e-Azb in which Pakistan armed forces assaulted the terrorist hideouts in North Waziristan. TTP suffered heavy losses in the military operation.
Read more: Prince William honours APS survivor Ahmad Nawaz in Kensington Palace
The official Twitter account of Director General Inter-Services Public Relations posted a sturdy message of the Chief of Army Staff. The COAS General Qamar Javed Bajwa appreciated the achievements of the armed forces to root out the evil of terrorism from Pakistan. He expressed solidarity with the bereaved families on the occasion. Adding that the unity of the nation will thrust Pakistan towards lasting peace and prosperity.
“APS carnage will never be forgotten. Five of the involved terrorists have been hanged through military courts. Salute to martyrs and their families. We have come a long way in failing terrorism as a nation. United we move towards lasting peace and prosperity of Pakistan”, COAS. pic.twitter.com/Swv1ocF3gO
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) December 16, 2019
Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry, also posted the images of the martyred students and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families.
Thoughts and prayers with parents of #APSMartyrs … the day ll always be remembered as day of pain n sorrow…. pic.twitter.com/jsekVGbuXy
— Ch Fawad Hussain (@fawadchaudhry) December 16, 2019
Actress and child rights activist, Nadia Jamil, also shared a heartfelt message on her Twitter account.
@NJLahori 16th Dec, a day of sacrifice a day of unbelievable courage and bravery in the face of brutality and cruelty never seen before. A day when the worst and the best of humanity came face to face. A day never to be forgotten and a day IA never to repeated. #APS never forget
— Ali Jaff (@asgharJaff) December 16, 2019
Never forget…. 💔#APSMartyrs #APSAttack pic.twitter.com/px92r2vJst
— Digi Fusion (@DigiFusion24) December 16, 2019
The tenacious APS survivors
Meanwhile, The tenacious APS survivors have kept their resolve high to overpower the deadly terror attack. From losing friends and siblings in the attack, theses survivors are carving out positive experiences from dreadful memories. Undoubtedly setting remarkable instances for others to follow.
Ahmed Nawaz, the fortunate survivor of the APS attack in 2014, has become the first Pakistani to receive the Princess Diana Award for his anti-radicalization campaign.
Ahmed Nawaz, who survived the attack on the #APSPeshawar has become the third pakistani to be awarded a point of light. pic.twitter.com/zwW20X7KdN
— Aamir Liaquat Husain (@AamirLiaquat) December 15, 2019
Ahmad Nawaz was part of the group of 20 international students who were awarded The Legacy Award.
He expressed gratitude to Prince William for a humble invitation. Adding that he shared his global campaign for the empowerment and sustainability of the youth. Ahmad Nawaz in his Twitter message added that Prince William told him he loved his recent visit to Pakistan.
Read more: Names Not Numbers: Heart Wrenching stories of APS’ little Angels
Another bright APS survivor is Waleed Khan, who converted his traumatic experience of APS attack into his passion to uplift people and drive them to achieve his goals. Waleed Khan has become a motivational speaker despite living the dreadful consequences of the APS attack. Earlier, this month, Waleed underwent his 12th plastic surgery. Waleed Khan suffered six bullets in the horrendous attack.