Girls with books frighten extremists most: Tweets Malala after 12 schools gutted in Pakistan

A day after terrorists torched 12 schools in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan's Diamer district, Nobel peace laureate Malala Yousafzai said what frightens extremists is a girl with a book.

On late Thursday some unidentified terrorists burnt down at least 12 schools in Gilgit-Baltistan. Initial reports revealed that at least six schools were all girls educational institutes situated in Diamer's Chilas.

"The extremists have shown what frightens them most - a girl with a book," Malala Yousafzai, 21, said in a tweet. The Nobel peace laureate also called for the rebuilding of the damaged schools.

"We must rebuild these schools immediately, get the students back into their classrooms and show the world that every girl and boy has the right to learn," Malala tweeted.

The schools attacked include Royini Girls School, Takya Girls School, and one school each in Hodur and Thor neighbourhoods, while at least three all-girl schools in Darel division, Giyal village and Khanbanri. Another two schools were torched in Gali Bala and Gali Payen.

The schools attacked were under-construction, said Commissioner Diamer Division Abdul Waheed Shah. He added that the authorities were examining damage to the buildings.

Chairman of the senate committee for interior affairs Rehman Malik, took notice of the incident and sought a report from chief secretary Gilgit-Baltistan, demanding immediate arrest of those responsible.

Diamer SP said at least 12 schools were burnt down in which at least six are of girls.      

"The terrorists threw the books out of the window and set them on fire," he added. Local police said there was no casualty reported as the schools were set on fire near dawn.

PM-designate Imran Khan took to Twitter and wrote: "Girls' education is an important part of the upcoming government's policies."