Abrar Hussain    

With his nose buried in textbooks, Abrar Hussain was fiercely competitive academically.

A hostel student at APS, he was top of his class for nine years straight. Whenever he returned to his village, he'd be found studying instead of mingling with friends. Every year, the school would call his parents in to show them his achievements. 

According to his father, Abrar was always worried about coming second. If he wasn't studying, he'd be found at home, curled up in a quiet corner reading. MORE

Ahmad Elahi   

Son of Mehfooz Elahi and Sumeer Sadiqi

Siblings: Faseeha Elahi (17) and Mohammad Elahi (13)

Age: 15  Class: 9

Ahmad Elahi    

Ahmad was a position holder; he aspired to be a surgeon. His mother says he was very religious and offered all his prayers at the mosque. In fact, he would try to reach the mosque early so that he could recite the Azan. 

He liked to play cricket with his friends but more than anything else, he loved his parrots. Just a few days before the attack he had bought a brand new cage for them.

Each night, before going to sleep, Ahmad had made it a habit to crawl into his mother’s bed and make sure he hadn’t said or done anything to hurt her. "If I did, I apologise for it." MORE

Ahmad Mujtaba    

Son of M. Anwar Khan and Nayab Anwar

Siblings: Ahmad Murtaza (9), Iqra Anwar (18) and Javeria Anwar (16)

Age: 15  Class: 8

Ahmad Mujtaba    

Mujtaba was a shy, quiet boy who hoped to join the Pakistan Army as a doctor one day. His best friends were his siblings.

The only time he did shed his shy demeanor was when he played cricket. He loved the sport with a passion. 

But if there was anything Mujtaba loved more than cricket, it was brand new clothes; he loved the way they looked on him. For this reason, his father got four suits tailor-made for him. They hang in his wardrobe, unworn. MORE

Asad Aziz     

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Dost Mohammad

Siblings: Tariq (31), Liaqat (29), Tahir (26), Rashid (24), Shahid (21) and Asia Bibi (19)

Age: 15   Class: 

Asad Aziz     

Asad was the ‘brightest child’ in the family and also the most athletic. Four days before the 15-year-old passed away in the attack, he had won a medal in table tennis. 

In the summer of  2013, Asad and his family went out to spend the day by the river.

The young boy had just come out of the water a long swim when his cousin Zeeshan was swept up by a current and was going to drown. Without losing his calm, Asad jumped into the water and managed to pull his cousin out alive. He was a savior. MORE

Asfand Khan     

Son of Ajoon Khan and Shahana Bibi 

Siblings: Mohammad Wadan Khan (5) and Mahrosha Khan (12)

Age: 15  Class: 10

Asfand Khan    

A quiet but confident teenager, Asfand Khan aspired to become a lawyer one day. He was also very passionate about driving and training at the gym.

Unlike most boys his age, Asfand liked being solitary and would spend most of his free time in his room. His respectful demeanor earned him love from elders and admiration of those younger to him. 

In his father’s absence, Asfand took on the role of the man of the family. He would shoulder his father’s responsibilities and take care of his mother and siblings. “After my son’s shahadat, I will have to start my life from scratch,” his father says. MORE

Bahram Ahmad Khan     

Son of Lt-Col Gulzar Ahmad Khan and Nosheen Gulzar

Siblings: Hassan Ahmad Khan (9) and Zaryab Ahmad Khan (19)

Age: 15  Class: 10

Bahram Ahmad Khan     

Bahram wanted to become a doctor and spend his life serving the underprivileged. Empathetic by nature, he was always moved when a disaster struck somewhere. 

Bahram secured 91% in his last exam. This distinction was aside from the various medals he had won in academics and extra-curricular activities.

His father recalls a story Bahram’s friends shared from the APS attack. During the attack, a friend of Bahram fell to the floor and broke his glasses due to which he could barely see. Bahram came back to get him but on their way out was stopped by a terrorist. His friends recall that Bahram pushed the terrorist and received two bullets in the chest which resulted in his death. MORE

Basit Ali Sardar      

Son of Sardar Ali and Sadaf Sardar 

Siblings: Kiran Sardar (18), Irum Sardar (16) and Basharar Ali Sardar (12)

Age: 15  Class: 8

Basit Ali Sardar    

Basit Ali Sardar was no ordinary boy. His mother remembers him as a very considerate son who would assist her in household chores and especially in the kitchen. He would even prepare tea and meals for guests.

He was very attached to his family and would frequently travel to his village where his grandparents are still live.  

Basit wanted to join the army as an officer. Failing the test once, he was selected to join cadet college on his second try. The selection letter was received by his parents after Basit’s passing. MORE

Farhan Jalal       

Son of Jalal Bayar and Syeda Begum

Siblings: Hassan Hasrat Jabeen (30), Asfandyar (29), Sheryar (28), Siyar (27), Arshanyar (26), Naveeda (18), Kashif (17) and Taif (16) 

Age: 15  Class: 10

Farhan Jalal    

On the day of the attack, Farhan saved his brother. When he saw the attackers enter the auditorium and open fire, he pushed Taif to the floor and protected him, but lost his life in doing so.

According to his father, Farhan was the most outstanding of his nine children. He may have been the youngest but he was the most intelligent and active. He was very close to Taif, who is just a year older than him.

Farhan wanted to be a fighter pilot when he grew up. He watched videos of fighter jets for hours on end. While he loved to read books, his favourite pastime was playing video games. Project I.G.I and Grand Theft Auto were his top picks. MORE

Muhammad Waqar      

Son of Muhammad Raiz and Rukhsana Raiz

Siblings: Muhammad Hamza (18), Muhammad Asim (13), Muhammad Haris (6) and Maryam (12)

Age: 15  Class: 9

Muhammad Waqar     

Innately gifted, Waqar only had to scan his books once to be able to write a stellar exam and earn a position in his school.  But along with academics, he loved extra-curricular activities; he won several laurels. 

Waqar was a Qari and had learnt five siparahs of the Holy Quran by heart; he also offered prayers five times a day. He enjoyed both playing and watching cricket.

He was devoted to his parents, and loved them immensely. His father Muhammad Riaz weeps while recalling his son’s many talents. Waqar’s mother, he says, still takes out her son’s belongings every day. MORE

Haider Amin      

Son of Muhammad and Sofia Amin

Siblings: Saba (19), Laiqa (8) and Laiba (6)

Age: 15  Class: 

Haider Amin      

Haider was closest to his sister Saba. She says he was a disciplined person who never left for tomorrow what could be done today. 

He was a good student and aspired to be a soldier some day. He loved watching military videos.
He was an avid footballer.

He played at school as well as after home time in a ground near his home.

His sisters weep for their dear Haider. Life is not the same without him.  MORE

Hamza Ali Kakar       

Son of Kosar Ali Kakar and Salma Javed

Siblings: Sara Ali Kakar (11) and Ayesha Ali Kakar (8)

Age: 15  Class: 9

Hamza Ali Kakar    

A dedicated student, a position holder, a parade commander in school, Hamza was known among friends as 'Captain'. He held a great desire to join the army. 

Like boys his age, he was fond of fast food and BBQ, with pizza, chicken tikka, biryani and seekh kebab being his favourites. Hamza was also fond of travelling outside the city and would visit Nathia Gali once a month. 

He was a respectful and loving boy who was close to his father. Hamza’s father recalls how his son had asked him to get him a pet chicken and goat for him upon clearing his exam. Hamza finally got his pets, just three days before the attack. MORE

Hayatullah      

Son Lt Col. Sikandar Hayat and Mrs Hayat

Siblings: Hira Sikandar (21) and Hamza Sikandar (19)

Age: 15  Class: 8

Hayatullah    

Born to an army officer, Hayatullah’s desire to serve the nation ran in his blood. He wanted to join the Pakistan Army but his parents wished for him to become a doctor instead. 

According to his father, Hayatullah was bold and confident and surprised elders with his quick intelligence. He loved automobiles, and would often surf the Internet for new car models. 

He excelled in both studies and extra-curricular activities and had won several medals for his achievements. Adept at both football and basketball, he captained his house basketball team. Four days before his death, he had won the title of ‘best basketball player’.  MORE

Mohammad Ali Rehman       

Son of Mohammad Hussain and Dilshad Bibi

Siblings: Mohammad Abdullah (12) and Mohammad Abubakkar (5)

Age: 15  Class: 9

Mohammad Ali Rehman     

Mohammad Ali Rehman, the eldest of three sons, was a studious position-holder who excelled at English, winning several competitions.

Ali’s father says the day before the attack, his son had asked for money to buy a new notebook after his ran out of empty pages. His father had given him the money that night and Ali thanked his father as he was leaving for school. Mohammad Hussain says that when he received his son’s body, the Rs300 he had given him was still in his son's pocket. 

Both of Ali’s parents have recovered after the tragic incident. His mother underwent psychiatric treatment after the attack. His father says he dreamt of Ali, and his son told him that he is alive and with him always. MORE

Mohammad Ammar Khan       

Son of Lt Col. (retd) Ibrahim Khan Shinwari and Raheeda Begum

Siblings: Mohammad Salman Khan (21), Mohammad Arsalan Khan (20), and two sisters

Age: 15  Class: 9

Mohammad Ammar Khan     

An aspiring doctor, Ammar wanted to serve the people of his hometown when he grew up. 

Youngest among his siblings, he was very fond of travelling. He often arranged picnics and parties with his friends and was even planning to travel to Murree with them but the trip was postponed.  

Although a very intelligent student who always secured over 80% in exams, his teachers felt he was still a little lax and only studied during exam time. 

His parents recall an incident when Ammar found a wallet full of cash and important cards. The wallet belonged to a man who lived in Nowshera and Ammar went all the way there to return it to its owner.  MORE

Muhammad Mohsin Murtaza       

Son of SM (retd) Gulam Murtaza and Fazeelat Jan

Siblings: Gulam Mujtaba (29), Yaseen Akhter (27), Noureen Akhter (25), Gulam Yaseen (23), Ahsan Murtaza (21), Munira Murtaza (15), Saifullah (13) and Zobia Murtaza (9)

Age: 15  Class: 8

Muhammad Mohsin Murtaza     

In a family of nine children, Mohsin stood out for being kind and honest. He loved to help those in need. 

He excelled in academics and had won many prizes. He enjoyed playing cricket, soccer and football. But he never let anything get in the way of his prayers. 

Mohsin liked eating all kinds of food but fish, in particular, was his favourite. He would often gather his friends and go fishing. 

On the day of the APS attack, he demanded a new sweater and his sister assured him that his wish would be fulfilled after he returned from school. MORE

Muhammad Shafqat        

Son of Sep (retd) Muhammad Arif   

Age: 15  Class: 9

Muhammad Shafqat      

Muhammad Shafqat’s family could not be contacted for his obituary.

Shafqat’s teachers say he was a polite and intelligent student who aspired to become a soldier like his father. 

He never teased other students and was a focused and hard working young boy. MORE

Muhammad Tahir       

Son of Hav. Muhammad Ismail and Sajida Kalsoom

Siblings: Iqra Mustafwi (17), Fizza Mustafwi (6) and Quratulain Fatima (5)

Age: 15  Class: 10

Muhammad Tahir      

Tahir has a melodious and powerful voice. He was often selected to sing national songs at school. His father says he was skilled with the computer and IT-related work. He wanted to be a software engineer when he grew up.

In games he likes to play cricket and football. He was also a part of school cricket team. He was very fond of computer games. Need For Speed was his favourite. 

He loved to travel within the country. His favourite spot was Murree, where he would love to take chairlift rides. His family tries to be strong. They miss Tahir very much. MORE

Muhammad Uzair Khan        

Son of Khalid Shakeel and Neghat Yasmeen

Siblings: Shehriyar (18) and Umair (11)

Age: 15  Class: 8

Muhammad Uzair Khan       

The second-born of three brothers, Uzair was a hardworking student who aspired to be a doctor.

He had a beautiful voice, and was often selected to recite Quranic verses at school events. The day of the attack, Uzair did a recitation that many of his teachers and friends recall.

His mother is inconsumable. She says her son did not want to go to school that day but she forced him to go. She says the guilt haunts her and that she misses her boy very much.  MORE

Mouzzam Zulfiqar       

Son of Sep/Clk Zulfiqar and Rehana 

Siblings: Javeria Zulfiqar (14), Zunaira Zulfiqar (10) and Muhammad Jasim (3.5)

Age: 15  Class: 8

Mouzzam Zulfiqar      

As the eldest, Mouzzam was a responsible and obedient son. He was a hard-working and studious boy who took an active part in class activities and school events such as plays and skits. He was very close to his mother and grandmother.

He was crazy about football and was a big fan of Ronaldo and Messi. He also loved playing computer games, with Fifa 2000 and Call of Duty being his favourites.  

His father says Mouzzam wanted to be an air force pilot when he grew up. He would spend hours watching videos of fighter jets and had learned all the names of the aircrafts. The JF 17 Thunder and F-16 were his favourites.  His family feels his absence very much and prays for him every day. MORE

Mohammad Yaseen       

Son of Mohammad Asif and Afshan Asif

Siblings: Ayesha (7) and Fatma (2)

Age: 15  Class: 10

Mohammad Yaseen       

Mohammad Yaseen was a jovial boy who always lent a sympathetic ear to others. He loved helping those less fortunate than him, and often ate lunch with domestic help and gate-keepers. 

His parents talk about the horror they felt when he was kidnapped for ransom at age 7 for 11 days. After that horrific indent, they never let him go out alone. 

Mohammad Yaseen’s favourite past time was playing games on his laptop. He also created a Facebook page of himself, and asked his friends and cousins to like it, which he thought would make him famous one day. 

A week prior to the attack, his mother shares that Yaseen was playing a shooting game with his cousin at home, during which he acted out being shot with two bullets. She recalls being handed her son’s body on Dec 16 – he had been shot twice. MORE

Noor Ullah Durrani        

Son of Falak Naz and Tehseen Ullah Durrani

Sibling: Sana (19), Hafsa (17) and Ammara (11)

Age: 15  Class: 9

Noor Ullah Durrani       

Noor Ullah Durrani was very close to his family. His sister says that when they were in the same school, he would treat his friends to snacks from the canteen and cheekily put the tab on his sister.

He wanted to be doctor and was a genius with computers. His father says Noor Ullah knew how to fix any computer glitch and was known in their colony for being a ‘computer master’. His neighbours would come to him when they needed their PCs repaired.

His mother, a teacher, says she misses Noor Ullah's humour. He would often tease her by saying it would be comical if he gave her one of her own tests and she failed it. MORE

Osama Zafar        

Son of Seema Shehwar and Zafar Iqbal

Siblings: Fatma Zafar (13), Ayesha Zafar (12) and Talha Zafar (10)

Age: 15  Class: 10

Osama Zafar       

Osama’s family says he was an obedient son. He had a generous disposition, and would always ask his gatekeeper about his health and make sure he had been served meals on time.

His father recalls that he was born in the Combined Military Hospital in Peshawar on a Tuesday, 15 years ago. He died in that very same hospital, on that fateful Tuesday. 

He had been asked by his parents to leave APS as its affiliation was with the federal board, and to take admission at a school that was affiliated with the Peshawar board. But Osama refused. He was happy at his school and was a good, hard working student. MORE

Rafique Raza Bangash        

Son of Shazia and Abid Raza Bangash

Siblings: Murtajez Raza Bangash (12)

Age: 15  Class: 10

Rafique Raza Bangash        

Rafique is described by his family as a polite and respectful boy. People who knew him are as moved and saddened by his passing as his family.

He was a religious child and often asked his father why there was extremism and sectarianism in society. He wanted people of different sects to be united. His father says his son was a sensible boy, who often handled discussions in a manner that a 40 or 50-year-old would adopt.  

He wanted to be a neurosurgeon. His death has left his family heartbroken. Rafique’s father says that he was the reason for their smiles and without him, life seems meaningless. MORE

Saad Ur Rehman      

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Zahid Abdullah Shah

Siblings: Ibad ur Rehman (19) and Maad ur Rehman (10)

Age: 15  Class: 9

Saad Ur Rehman         

Saad loved computers. He was known as a ‘computer master’ and was popular amongst his friends for repairing faulty machines. 

He was very close to his father; they were like best friends. He took special care of him, and the last thing he did each night was make sure his father had a glass of water. He used to to stress that his father should take his medicine regularly. 

He had parrots and fish for pets and loved coming home to take care of them. His father said that his son used to care about his family members a lot. MORE

Shahbaz Ali      

Son of Shoukat (late) and Khalida Ali

Sibling: Saba Gul (18)

Age: 15  Class: 9

Shahbaz Ali          

The Ali family has suffered two tragedies. Shahbaz’s father passed away a year before his son was killed in the attack. With Shahbaz and his father gone, his mother and sister have had to relocate from Peshawar back to the village. 

Mrs Ali says her son was an obedient and respectful boy. He was praised by his teachers and loved by his friends. He had a curious mind and enjoyed research and reading about things. 

His mother says she is trying to be brave and move past the tragedies in her life. MORE

Shamowail Tariq        

Son of Shagufta and Tariq Jan

Siblings: Mehwish Tariq (18), Sohail Tariq (13) and Sawail Tariq (7) 

Age: 15  Class: 9

Shamowail Tariq         

Shamowail's father describes him as a mature and responsible young boy. He was a respectful and obedient son and was nicknamed Babar Sher (lion). 

Whenever his siblings were disappointed in their father, Shamowail would cheer them up and make them laugh by telling jokes.

The day of the attack, two bloodied Rs20 notes were recovered from his front pocket. Both notes had bullet holes in them. Shamowail's father has kept those notes with him as a memory of his son’s sacrifice. MORE

Shayan Nasir         

Son of Naila and Jamal Nasir 

Siblings: Fazle Nasir (25), Shahab Nasir (23), Seemab Nasir (21), Zubair Nasir (19) and Shafi Nasir (17)

Age: 15  Class: 10

Shayan Nasir          

Shayan was a religious boy. He always inspired his friends and family to be regular with their prayers.

His father says Shayan would tell his mother not arrange dinner before the night prayer as his father would get lazy and not offer his prayers in the mosque. 

He was a good cricket player, but his real passion was astronomy. MORE

Syed Afaq Ahmed          

Son of Zahir Shah (late) and Bibi Amna

Siblings: Shah Fahad (27), Bibi Fatma (25), Shamsul Qamar (24), Bibi Rabia (19), Farooq Didar (18), Bibi Uzma (16) and Arsh Zahir (13) 

Age: 15  Class: 9

Syed Afaq Ahmed          

Just like his elder siblings, Afaq wanted to be a doctor. 

He was not a very social child and preferred being home and playing on the computer. He was very close to his siblings and mother, who say Afaq was the ‘backbone’ of the family.

His mother recalls that her son was very happy on December 16, 2014 before he left for school. That is how she wants to remember him
His siblings say the void in their lives after the passing of their brother can never be filled. MORE

Maheer Rizwan         

Son of Mohammad Rizwan Aslam and Aneela Rizwan

Siblings: Mehreen Aslam (14), Arham Siraj (9) and Zuraiz (5 months)

Age: 15  Class: 9

Maheer Rizwan         

Maheer was a simple boy who was very fond of the outdoors.

His family recalled how he did not waste any opportunity to travel out of Peshawar to be close to nature or go swimming.

Maheer had a great interest in computer engineering and wanted to pursue it as a profession after passing out of school. MORE

Mobeen Aslam        

Son of Aslam Qureshi and Zahida Aslam Qureshi (late)

Siblings: Samara Aslam Qureshi, Arfa Aslam Qureshi and Iqra Aslam Qureshi 

Age: 15  Class: 8

Mobeen Aslam        

To those who knew him, Mobeen was the ‘karate kid with a God-gifted, soulful voice’.

Mobeen was quite close to his father despite the latter being away from the family for 10 years. The two became close ‘friends’ after the death of Mobeen’s mother in 2013.

“One day I was dropping Mobeen to school and asked him to pray that I quickly get promoted to the rank of Army Commander. He told me it was not an easy task to become a commander just like that,” Mobeen’s father recalls with a smile on his face. MORE

Mohammad Ali       

Son of Shahab-ud-Din and Rana Gul

Siblings: Alishba Khan (17), Maya Khan (11) and Toba Khan (6) 

Age: 15  Class: 9

Mohammad Ali        

The only son of Shahab ur Rehman and Rana Gul, Mohammad Ali was jovial and a typically naughty teenager. But his carefree attitude was limited to the playground and according to the family, the 15-year-old was ‘extremely respectful’ towards his elders.

Mohammad Ali was particularly fond of his horse which was gifted to him by his father. He would spend his vacations learning horseback riding.

“I no longer fear my only son will get hurt in anyway,” Mohammad Ali’s stoic father said, while recalling how he would worry for his son as soon as he stepped out of the house. MORE

Usama Bin Tariq       

Son of Naik Subedar Tariq Mehmood and Safina Tariq

Siblings: Umama Tariq (15) and Sana Tariq (12)

Age: 15  Class: 8

Usama Bin Tariq         

The eldest of three siblings and the only boy, Usama was very special to his parents. 

He aspired to be an army officer when he grew up. He was especially concerned about poor people displaced by military operations in the north and wanted to work towards their rehabilitation.

He was a brilliant soccer player and often used to play with his father. They were like best friends. His father had recently bought a brand new bike for him. MORE

Zeeshan Ali       

Son of Hav Abdul Qayyum and Samina Bibi

Siblings: Saman Qayyum (13), Sidra Qayyum (11), Ayesh Qayyum (7) and Fatima Qayyum (4)

Age: 15  Class: 9

Zeeshan Ali         

Aspiring to become a doctor, Zeeshan was a very intelligent and responsible child. Eldest among the siblings, Zeeshan was the only brother who was devoted to his sisters. Caring and jolly, he would often take his sisters on bike rides and would buy them candy. 

Zeeshan started studying at APS soon after his father was transferred to Peshawar. This was weeks before the massacre, and in that time, he had succeeded in becoming one of his teachers’ favourite students.

He was fond of shopping and buying new clothes. His father remembers that Zeeshan’s uncle was getting married on Dec 16 and he had wanted new clothes for the ceremony. Zeeshan was supposed to go shopping with his mother after school that day. MORE

Zeeshan Shafique        

Son of Hav. (retd) Muhammad Shafique and Bismillah Jan    

Siblings: Yasir Shafique (12), Danial Shafique (9) and Masooma Shafique (3)

Age: 15  Class: 8

Zeeshan Shafique          

A student of the APS since 2004, Zeeshan was among the top of his class. He was also a good athlete, enjoyed playing football and would be very competitive in matches.  

He was fond of keeping pets, with pigeons being his favourite. His mother recalls how he kept pigeons at home and looked after them with great care. 

Son of a soldier, Zeeshan too aspired to join the army and serve the country. MORE