ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday strongly condemned the incident of firing on a school van in Attock.

“Targeting a school van is very cruel and shameful act. The perpetrators of the attack should be taken to the task,” the president said.

He prayed to Allah Almighty for peace for the departed souls and early recovery of the injured.

On the other hand,  Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the incident of firing targeting a school van in Attock, directing the authorities concerned to take strict action against the perpetrators.

The prime minister sympathised with the families of the children killed in the incident. He also prayed to Allah Almighty for a swift recovery of the injured children and instructed for their best medical treatment.

Calling the attack on children a cruel and brutal act, the prime minister called for strict action against those responsible for the act.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz, expressing deep sorrow over the incident, has sought an immediate report from Commissioner Rawalpindi.

She also directed authorities concerned to provide the best medical facilities to the injured.

Earlier, At least 2 children were killed and five others injured in a gun attack on a school van in Punjab’s Attock district on Thursday morning.

According to the police, the unidentified gunmen opened fire on the school van in the Dheri Kot area of Attock, resulting in the death of 2 children.

The children were aged between 10 and 12 years.

The unidentified persons fled the scene after the crime, according to Rescue 1122 Punjab.

As soon as the incident was reported, the rescue teams reached the spot and shifted the injured and deceased to nearby hospital.