Tehreek-e-Taliban attacked Army-run school in Peshawar, Pakistan

Tehreek-e-Taliban on 16 December 2014 carried out a massacre in the Army-run school in Peshawar, Pakistan. In the terror attack, at least 141 people including 132 students and 9 staff members of the school were killed. Several others were injured.  

The militant outfit claimed the responsibility for the attack and said that it was a revenge for the military's operation against militants in the North Waziristan tribal area close to Peshawar. Presently, Pakistan’s military is carrying out Operation Zarb-e-Azb and Operation Khyber-I against militants of the nation.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif who visited the site of incident described the attack as national tragedy and said that the military operation 'Zarb-e-azab' to flush out terrorists from the country's tribal belt will continue. Pakistan government also announced three-day nationwide mourning of the massacre.

The incident drew condemnation from world leaders
• The United States strongly condemned the Taliban assault on the school and said the US strongly condemns senseless and inhumane attacks on innocent students and educators, and stands in solidarity with the people of Pakistan.
• UN Secretary General BanKi-moon led the world body in condemning the Taliban attack said that no cause can justify such brutality and horror. He said no grievance can excuse such horror and it is an act of horror and rank cowardice to attack defenceless children.
• British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Francois Hollande also strongly condemned the terrorist attack.

India’s stand on the attack
Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif over telephone and strongly condemned the brutal terrorist attack. India has offered all possible help to Pakistan and in the wake of dastardly attack in Pakistan, the Prime Minister appealed to schools across India to observe two minutes of silence on 17 December 2014 as a mark of solidarity.

School attacks in different countries
• 10 November 2014: Suicide Bombing of a Potiskum Government School by Boko Haram, Nigeria - at least 47 fatalities reported
• 6 Jul 2013: Yobe State School shooting by Boko Haram, Nigeria - at least 42 fatalities reported
• 3 September 2004: Beslan School hostage crisis, Russia – at least 385 fatalities reported
• 26 March 2001: Arson in Kyanguli Secondary School-Machakos, Kenya - at least 57 fatalities reported
• 15 May 1974: Netin Meir Elementary Schoool hostage crisis, Israel - at least 34 fatalities reported
• 18 May 1927: Bombing in School-Bath, United States - at least 44 fatalities reported
• Between 2009 and 2013: 1073 attacks in Afghanistan
• In 2013, 54 and 35 attacks were carried out in schools of Somalia and Yemen, respectively