A total of 141 people, including 132 students and nine staff members, were killed and 133 others injured in Tuesday`s terror attack at an army-run public school in Pakistan`s northwest city of Peshawar.
United Nations (ANTARA News/Xinhua-OANA) - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday strongly condemned the "bloodcurdling attack" on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan, that killed 141 people, including 132 students.

"No cause can justify such brutality. No grievance can excuse such horror. It is an act of horror and rank cowardice to attack defenseless children while they learn," Ban said at the beginning of a Security Council meeting.

"The hearts of the world go out to the parents and families who have lost loved ones in the horrific attack," he said.

The Pakistani Taliban have claimed responsibility for the attack earlier in the day, in which gunmen wearing army uniforms stormed into the army-run school in downtown Peshawar and exchanged fire with the security forces. At least 245 others were injured in the attack and an unknown number of students and staff were held hostage by the militants.

Addressing the Council, Ban extended his deepest condolences to the people, government and particularly those touched by Tuesdays tragedy.

"Schools must be safe and secure learning spaces. Getting an education is every childs right. Going to school should not have to be an act of bravery," he noted.

The Secretary-General expressed the world organizations support for the efforts of the Pakistani authorities in their fight against terrorism and extremism, and urged the government of Pakistan to make every effort to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Also in a statement, the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) said the horrific, callous killing must do more than shock the conscience of the world.

"It must also summon us, all the more, to support the parents of Pakistan who wish for their children the best possible education and all those who are working to provide it," it said, extending the heartfelt sympathy to the families of the children who have been lost.

A total of 141 people, including 132 students and nine staff members, were killed and 133 others injured in Tuesdays terror attack at an army-run public school in Pakistans northwest city of Peshawar.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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