Islamabad: The International Islamic University (IIU) Thursday remembered the 2009 twin-blast victims at its Female Campus that claimed the lives of eight students, including six female and two male, and a security guard.

The blasts took place in quick succession in segregated blocks for girls and boys on the university campus in the capital’s Sector H-10. A bomber barged into the women-only facility despite fierce resistance put up by a local worker, blowing himself up at the entrance of the girls’ cafeteria. The other bomber detonated his explosives-laden jacket on the first floor of the Imam Abu Hanifa Block. The incident took place amid reports about threats to educational institutions, some of which decided to close their facilities for a few days. However, officials of the International Islamic University said they were not aware of any direct threat.

IIU Rector Professor Fateh Muhammad Malik said that it was a terrifying incident, which would have ever-lasting marks on their memories. “It was the first time that militants targeted female students and a prestigious Islamic education institution,” he said.