Killing innocents in the name of God is a most shameful act: Najma Heptulla

Union Minority Affairs Minister Najma Heptulla on Wednesday strongly condemned the terror attack in Peshawar and said that killing innocents in the name of God and religion is a most shameful act.

"We fall short of words to express our feelings for such a shameful incident. The most shameful aspect is that the ones killing innocent children are taking the name of God. I don't think God will ever forgive them," said Heptulla.

"The trauma that the survivors will face throughout their lives after witnessing such a dreadful killing incident is unimaginable. I don't understand what is wrong with Pakistan. Nobody has the right to kill innocents in the name of God and religion," she added.

Condemning the terror attack, Union MSME Minister Kalraj Mishra emphasized that the act reflects cowardness.

"The way Taliban terrorist group has targeted the students of Army Public School in Peshawar yesterday is highly condemnable. This step is reflective of cowardness and needs to be fought collectively," said Mishra.

"Our Prime Minister has also said that India is with Pakistan to fight against terrorism. I pay my condolence to all the families affected," he added.

India has offered all possible help to Pakistan in the wake of yesterday's massacre in the Army-run school in Peshawar. 141 people including 132 students and 9 staff members of a school were killed in a terror attack.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif over telephone late last evening and strongly condemned the brutal terrorist attack. The Prime Minister said the people of India shared the heart-rending pain and sorrow of the bereaved families and stood with them in solidarity in this hour of immeasurable grief.

The Tehreek-e-Taliban has claimed the responsibility for the attack. The Taliban spokesman said that it was a revenge for the military's operation against militants in the North Waziristan tribal area.