What they say

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."

Malala Yousafzai, Nobel Peace Prize winner

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."

Nawaz Sharif, Pakistani prime minister

The killing of innocent children is contrary to Islam."

Ashraf Ghani, Afghanistan's president

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

Narendra Modi, Indian prime minister

No words can express the ignominy of such an attack against children in their school."

Francois Hollande, French president

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."

Barack Obama, US president

I condemn this criminal attack in the sharpest possible terms. The cruel cowardice of taking children hostage and murdering them surpasses everything that Pakistan, which has been subjected to terrorism and violence for years, has known to date."

Frank-walter Steinmeier, German foreign minister

(China Daily 12/17/2014 page12)