India, Aug. 25 -- A Pakistani Army officer was caught on camera allegedly assaulting protesting students and firing shots into the air on Monday at Sarhad University's Rawat campus in Islamabad, according to reports.

The incident has triggered widespread criticism and protests online.

The confrontation took place as students were protesting over higher fees, departmental leadership and irregular class schedules.

Sources told NDTV that the university's Head of Student Affairs, Dr Aina, arrived at the scene to pacify the protesting students. However, when some students refused to back down, she reportedly called her husband, an Army officer.

The situation escalated after students surrounded the officer. Footage appeared to show him firi...