The U.S. Strongly Condemns Taliban Attack on School in Peshawar

Barack Obama, the President of the United States, strongly condemned the Taliban's attack on a school in Pakistan on Tuesday, which left over 120 dead, stating, "We stand with the people of Pakistan." In a statement released by the White House, Mr. Obama added, "By targeting students and teachers in this heinous attack, terrorists have once again shown their wickedness." According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Islamists attacked a school in Peshawar that was run by the military, killing more than 130 people, including 125 students. The Pakistani police announced that all attackers were killed, stating that security forces shot five of the attackers while the sixth detonated himself. According to Reuters, Mr. Obama said that the U.S. supports the Pakistani government's efforts to combat terrorism and extremism and to promote peace and stability in the region. Reports indicate that the attackers, dressed in military uniforms, entered the school and opened fire. At the time of the attack, about 500 students and teachers were present in the school. One student from the school told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that the gunmen "killed many students... I saw with my own eyes that 40, 50 students were killed." A spokesperson for the Pakistani Taliban, who identified himself as "Muhammad Khurasani," told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in a phone call that this attack was revenge for the Pakistani military operations in North Waziristan. The Pakistani army claims to have killed over a thousand militants in North Waziristan since the military operations began in June.