Summary The Prime Minister has directed to ensure that everyone inside the school is rescued safely.
PESHAWAR (Web Desk / AFP) - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has strongly condemned the terror attack on Army Public School in Peshawar today (Tuesday).
The Prime Minister has directed the federal and provincial authorities to ensure that everyone inside the school is rescued safely.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan also condemned the attack, saying terrorist attack on innocent children is worst ever form of barbarism.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi, Vice Chairman, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and former Foreign Minister of Pakistan condemned the attack.
He wrote on Twitter, "Strongly condemn the cowardly attack on Peshawar school. Thoughts & prayers are with the kids and the school staff involved in the incident."
Jahangir Khan Tareen, philanthropist and politician took to Twitter to pray for the victims. He wrote, "May Allah keep the hostage children safe . My prayers and all our prayers for their safety and to oil the terrorists bid to attack innocents."
The Information Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mushtaq Ghani has said that security of all other educational institution has been enhanced.
According to Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), most of the children and staff have been rescued. It further stated that the exchange of fire between security forces and terrorists is still continuing.
Around seven terrorists stormed the army-run school in restive northwest Pakistan, killing at least 21 people including twenty students and triggering a standoff with troops.
The school on Peshawar`s Warsak Road is part of the Army Public Schools and Colleges System, which runs 146 schools nationwide for the children of military personnel and civilians. Its students range in age from around 10 to 18.
The schools educate the children of both officers and non-commissioned soldiers and army wives often teach in them.
A security official told AFP that hundreds of students and staff were in the school when the attack began, though it was not immediately clear how many are still being held.
