Charsadda - At least 21 people died in an armed assault on a university in Pakistan Wednesday, where witnesses reported two large explosions as security forces moved in under dense fog to halt the bloodshed.

Over 3,000 students were present inside the university to mark the death anniversary of Khudai Khidmatgar Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan alias Baacha Khan, who died on January 20, 1988. It was later declared clear by military officials.

"Then I saw a bullet hit him".

"Around 90 per cent of the area has been cleared".

Rescued students said that around 60 to 70 others have been shot in the head by the gunmen.

He said that provincial government had beefed up the security of educational institutions through SOPs designed for about 64000 schools of the province.

Hamid, 34, was Ph.D in Organic Chemistry.

He said that the timely response by the police and army personnel prevented nation from a tragedy like APS where more than 100 innocent students had been brutally assassinated.

"There are male and female staff members and students on the campus", university vice chancellor Fazal Raheem Marwat said, adding he had been on his way to work when he was informed of the attack.

ZURICH, Jan 20 (APP): Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif on Wednesday telephoned Chief of Army Staff General Raheel Sharif and discussed the Charsada terror attack. He was accompanied by Corps Commander Peshawar. He announced Thursday as national mourning day following the attack.