Tazeen Akhtar | Islamabad
Two consecutive schools shootings in two days killing one teacher and eight students injuring more than two dozens have sent a wave of high magnitude shocks to whole country and beyong because many world leaders are present at 5th Antalya Diplomacy Forum including Prime Minister and many ministers of Pakistan. President of Azerbaijan also arrived Turkiye for the forum with his spouse.
Unfortunately, the incidents have exposed the shortcomings in the overall security system and especially big faults in the security of students at their institutions raising concerns among the local as well as foreign students studying in Turkish universities, a large number of whose belong to Pakistan while the Embassy of Turkiye annually holds exhibitions to attract Pakistani students for admissions in Turkish universities.
In the latest incident , A 14-year-old student shot one teacher and 08 students and wounded 13 others at a middle school in southeastern Turkiye on Wednesday 15 April.
Officials told the attacker took his own life after the attack. But actually he died from blood loss following a cut to the back of his leg caused by a sharp object. Governor of Province Kahramanmaras Mr. Mukerrem Unluer had said the shooter had shot and killed himself in the commotion.
Footage showed several students jumping from a second-storey window at the school as gunshots echoed around the grounds. Unverified CCTV footage from the school showed the attacker shooting two students walking down a hallway.
Funerals for the victims – eight 11-year-old children and the 55-year-old teacher – were held on Thursday in Kahramanmaras as families wept before coffins.
Interior Minister Mustafa Ciftci said, six of the wounded were in critical condition. This was solely a personal attack carried out by one of our students; it is not a terror incident.
Extreme Negligence by the Authorities
Governor Mukerrem Unluer shared,
1- The attacker was 8th grade student.
2- He came with 5 weapons (Pistols) and 7 magazines which we believe belong to his former police officer father. (Local prosecutor’s office confirmed the pistols belonged to his father)
3- He entered two classrooms with 5th grade students, 10-11 years old, causing deaths and injuries indiscriminately.
In its examination, the prosecutor’s office found a document on the attacker’s computer dated April 11 that indicated a major attack would be carried out “in the near future”.
Pakistan–Türkiye Conduct Joint Commando and Special Forces Exercise Jinnah-XIII
Protests and Demand of Resignition of Education Minister
Thousands of teachers took to the streets across Turkey on Thursday 16 April 2026, demanding the resignation of Education Minister Yusuf Tekin after two school shootings in as many days left the country reeling and renewed concerns about safety in schools. (Featured Photo)
Teachers and union members attempted to march to the Ministry of Education in Ankara but were blocked by police barricades.
When officers refused to allow them to proceed, the demonstrators staged a sit-in near a metro station, chanting slogans calling on Education Minister Yusuf Tekin to resign and saying,
“Shoulder to shoulder against violence,” “Blood has stained my profession” and “Where were you while the children were dying?”
History of School Shootings in Turkiye
School shootings in Turkiye had been rare until this week.
In May 2024, a former student killed a private high school principal in Istanbul with a firearm five months after he was expelled. In May 2024 thousands of teachers staged protests after İstanbul high school principal İbrahim Oktugan was shot dead by a former student, prompting nationwide calls for legislation aimed at preventing violence in schools.
In March a 17-year-old student fatally stabbed teacher Fatma Nur Çelik at a high school in the city’s Çekmeköy district. The killing attracted particular attention because Çelik had reportedly raised concerns about school safety after a separate stabbing incident at the same school last year.
Guns are Widespread in Turkiye
Gun laws are generally strict in Turkey, with only individuals aged over 21 and in possession of a license allowed to own weapons. Laws require licensing, registration, mental and criminal background checks, and severe penalties for illegal possession. However, guns are widespread in Turkey, with many security officers allowed to carry and own arms.
Turkish police instead of correcting its own system of security is holding the public accountable. They have detained 162 people accused of posting controversial content online about two deadly school shootings that took place this week. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek accused accounts of sharing footage of the incidents, spreading content capable of creating fear and praising crime.
Question is , the most severe has already happened, that is enough to spread fear in the country and more than enough to hold who are responsible for that.
