Pakistani military arrests five in Bacha Khan University attack

Pakistan’s army chief Raheel Sharif talks to a man injured in an attack on a university, at a local hospital in Charsadda town, some 35 kilometers (21 miles) outside the city of Peshawar, Pakistan, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. Gunmen stormed Bacha Khan University named after the founder of an anti-Taliban political party in the country’s northwest Wednesday, killing many people, officials said. (AP Photo/Zia Mohammad)

A Pakistani army spokesman says the military has arrested five suspects on charges of facilitating a deadly militant attack on a university that killed 21, mostly students, in the country’s northwest.

Islamic militants stormed Bacha Khan University in Charsadda on Jan. 20, killing students and teachers, and triggering a gunbattle that lasted for hours. Lt. Gen Asim Salim Bajwa said Saturday that the suspects provided the attackers with shelter, transport and weapons.

Bajwa said another three suspects, including two women, are still at large.

A splinter faction of the Taliban claimed responsibility and has threatened similar attacks. However the main Taliban organization denied any involvement.