Pakistani Taliban militants have attacked a school in Peshawar and killed at least 141 people and injured 122, with the death toll expected to rise.
The Taliban militants entered a school operated by the Pakistani army around 10am local time on Tuesday morning. The gunmen, also armed with suicide vests, began a bloody attack on the children and teachers that lasted eight hours.
The attackers killed at least 132 school children, aged between 10 and 20.
The attack ended at around 6pm when the last gunman detonated his suicide vest. When it was confirmed that all the gunmen had been killed, the police announced the attack was over.
“The combat operation is over, the security personnel are carrying out a clearance operation and hopefully they will clear the building in a while,” policeman Abdullah Khan said.
“Dead bodies of six terrorists have been found in the building.”
Taliban group Tehrik-e-Taliban immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, saying it was retribution for the Pakistani military’s attacks on Taliban militants.
“This attack is a response to Zarb-e-Azb and the killing of Taliban fighters and harassing their families,” a Taliban spokesperson said.
“We selected the army’s school for the attack because the government is targeting our families and females. We want them to feel the pain.”
The world has collectively condemned the attack as unthinkably inhumane and cruel.
“Extremely saddened, our resolve has taken new height. Will cont go after inhuman beasts, their facilitators till their final elimination,” Pakistani army Major General Asim Bajwa wrote on Twitter.
President Obama also categorically condemned the siege.
“By targeting students and teachers in this heinous attack, terrorists have once again shown their depravity,” he said.
“We stand with the people of Pakistan, and reiterate the commitment of the United States to support the government of Pakistan in its efforts to combat terrorism and extremism and to promote peace and stability in the region.”
“It is an act of horror and rank cowardice to attack defenceless children while they learn,” United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon said to the Security Council.
India’s prime minister Narendra Modi indicated India would stand with Pakistan in their recovery from the attack.
Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif travelled to Peshawar when the siege began.
“I can’t stay back in Islamabad. This is a national tragedy unleashed by savages. These were my kids,” he said.
“This is my loss. This is the nation’s loss. I am leaving for Peshawar now and I will supervise this operation myself.”
The final number of school children and teachers killed in Peshawar is yet to be determined.