Pakistan Army Officer Assaults Students, Fires in Air During University Protest

A Pakistan Army officer confronted and assaulted students during a protest at Sarhad University’s Rawat campus, later pulling out his service pistol and firing shots into the air, according to eyewitness accounts cited by NDTV. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday as students were protesting over issues including fees and class schedules.

According to sources, the university’s Head of Student Affairs, Dr Aina, was attempting to deal with the protesting students when she called her husband, an Army officer, after some students refused to disperse. The officer reportedly arrived at the campus wearing his military uniform. An eyewitness alleged that the officer began striking students with a stick before drawing his service weapon. He reportedly fired into the air and pointed the pistol towards the protesting students, creating panic on the campus. A video of the confrontation subsequently circulated on social media.

The episode has sparked criticism over the use of military authority to deal with a civilian student protest. Questions have also been raised about why an armed military officer was involved in handling a university dispute rather than leaving the matter to civilian campus authorities and law-enforcement agencies. The incident comes amid broader public debate in Pakistan over the role of the military in civilian affairs. Student protests and demonstrations in several parts of the country have increasingly brought allegations of excessive use of force and official intimidation into the spotlight.

Following the circulation of the video, the Pakistan Army reportedly initiated disciplinary proceedings against the officer and ordered an internal inquiry into the incident. The episode has nevertheless raised concerns about accountability and the limits of military authority in civilian spaces. The outcome of the Army's inquiry will be closely watched, particularly over whether those responsible face meaningful disciplinary action.