Pakistan observes mourning for university massacre victims

Pakistan is observing a day of national mourning in the wake of a militant attack on a university that claimed 21 lives in the restive Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Flags were flying at half-mast on all government buildings inside and outside the country on Thursday while a prayer ceremony was being held in the capital, Islamabad.

The attack occurred on Wednesday when Taliban militants entered Bacha Khan University in Charsadda District and opened fire on students and teachers in classrooms and hostels.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif vowed a “ruthless” response to the massacre and ordered security forces to hunt those behind the attack.