Pakistan mourns after Taliban Peshawar school massacre

Mourners crowded around coffins bedecked with flowers, while other families waited at hospitals for news.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared three days of mourning and Pakistan's army struck at militants in the region.

Mr Sharif also convened a meeting of all parliamentary parties in Peshawar to discuss the response to the attack.

The meeting on Wednesday was called to show that the whole nation stood against extremism, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid told reporters.

World leaders voiced disgust at the Taliban's deadliest attack to date, which even its Afghan allies disowned.

According to the army, Tuesday's attack was carried out by seven Taliban attackers, all wearing bomb vests.

They cut through a wire fence to enter the school from the rear and attacked an auditorium where children were taking an exam.

Gunmen then went from classroom to classroom at the military-run school, shooting pupils and teachers where they found them, survivors say.

The Pakistani city of Peshawar is burying its dead after a Taliban attack at a school killed at least 132 children and nine staff.

Mourners crowded around coffins bedecked with flowers, while other families waited at hospitals for news.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif declared three days of mourning and Pakistan's army struck at militants in the region.

Mr Sharif also convened a meeting of all parliamentary parties in Peshawar to discuss the response to the attack.

The meeting on Wednesday was called to show that the whole nation stood against extremism, Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid told reporters.

World leaders voiced disgust at the Taliban's deadliest attack to date, which even its Afghan allies disowned.

According to the army, Tuesday's attack was carried out by seven Taliban attackers, all wearing bomb vests.

They cut through a wire fence to enter the school from the rear and attacked an auditorium where children were taking an exam.

Gunmen then went from classroom to classroom at the military-run school, shooting pupils and teachers where they found them, survivors say.

At the funeral of one pupil, his father told the Associated Press news agency: "He was only 15 years old and was in the eighth grade.

"I was in the court when I received a call about the incident and then rushed towards the hospital... He got a bullet right in his chest and another bullet hit his hand. I am sorry I can't talk any more about it."

Sajid Khan, uncle of 10-year-old victim Gul Sher, told AFP news agency his nephew had plans to become a doctor.

"We cannot take the revenge from the terrorists but we pray to Allah to take the revenge," he said.

'Our children's blood'

Mr Sharif also pledged to avenge a "national tragedy unleashed by savages".

"We will take revenge for each and every drop of our children's blood that was spilt today," he said.

Malala Yousafzai, the 17-year-old who was shot by the Pakistani Taliban for championing girls' rights to education, also condemned "these atrocious and cowardly acts".

"Innocent children in their school have no place in horror such as this," she said.

(BBC)