World condemns gruesome attack in Pakistan army school by Taliban

Reactions from around the world to the deadly Taliban attack on a military-run school in Peshawar, Pakistan on Tuesday.

"I am heartbroken by this senseless and cold blooded act of terror in Peshawar that is unfolding before us. Innocent children in their school have no place in horror such as this. I condemn these atrocious and cowardly acts and stand united with the government and armed forces of Pakistan whose efforts so far to address this horrific event are commendable. I, along with millions of others around the world, mourn these children, my brothers and sisters - but we will never be defeated." - Nobel Peace Prize Winner Malala Yousafzai.

"The government together with the army has started Zarb-e-Azb and it will continue until the terrorism is rooted out from our land. We also have had discussions with Afghanistan that they and we together fight this terrorism, and this fight will continue. No one should have any doubt about it. " - Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in Peshawar. Zarb-e-Azb is the name of the Pakistani military operation being carried out in North Waziristan.

"Strongly condemn the cowardly terrorist attack at a school in Peshawar."

"It is a senseless act of unspeakable brutality that has claimed lives of the most innocent of human beings - young children in their school."

"My heart goes out to everyone who lost their loved ones today. We share their pain & offer our deepest condolences." - Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a series of tweeted statements.

"The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms today's horrific attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, Pakistan. Our hearts and prayers go out to the victims, their families, and loved ones. By targeting students and teachers in this heinous attack, terrorists have once again shown their depravity. 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." - U.S. President Barack Obama.

"The killing of innocent children is contrary to Islam." - Afghanistan's President Ashraf Ghani said.

The attack in Peshawar is "un-Islamic." - The Afghan Taliban. The group added that it "always condemned the killing of innocent people."

"The news of the terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar has shaken me deeply. The hostgage-taking and murder of children and youth is barbarity that cannot be surpassed." - German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"The scale of what has happened in Pakistan simply defies belief. It is a dark, dark day for humanity when something on this scale happens with no justification. There is not a belief system in the world that can justify such an act. I think what this shows is the worldwide threat that is posed by this poisonous ideology of extremist Islamist terrorism. It is nothing to do with one of the world's great religions - Islam, which is a religion of peace. This is a perversion." - British Prime Minister David Cameron.

"On October 9, 2012, the Taliban attempted to silence one girl who dared to confront them, and stifle her future. They failed miserably. In the moments that follow such harrowing tragedy, we hope that the resolve and the dignity of innocent Pakistani people will see more children like Malala Yousafzai emerge to carry the torch forward for more education, free from violence or intimidation." - Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird.

"Mothers and fathers send their kids to school to learn and to be safe and to dream and to find opportunity. And particularly at this military school in Pakistan, they sent their kids there with the hope and dreams of serving their country. Instead, today they are gone, wiped away by Taliban assassins who serve a dark and almost medieval vision, and the opposite of everything that those mothers and fathers wanted for their children. The images are absolutely gut-wrenching: young children carried away in ambulances, a teacher burned alive in front of the students, a house of learning turned into a house of unspeakable horror." - US Secretary of State John Kerry.

"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. Schools must be safe and secure learning spaces. Getting an education is every child's right. Going to school should not have to be an act of bravery." - U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

"There can be absolutely no justification for targeting children in this way. This unconscionable Taliban attack is a grave reminder that civilians in northwest Pakistan desperately need effective protection from militant groups." - David Griffiths, Amnesty International's Deputy Director for Asia-Pacific.