Parliament condemns terror attack on Pakistan school

Parliament today stood as one in condemning the killing of 141 persons, including 132 children, by terrorists in a school in Peshawar in Pakistan.

Members in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha stood in silence as a mark of respect to the memory of the departed and mourned the killings in the gruesome terrorist attack and conveyed their heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families.

Soon after both the Houses met, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari rose to condemn the tragic incident and expressed shock and outrage at the senseless and brutal killing.

Lok Sabha also passed a resolution proposed by the Speaker expressing "shock, sense of deep outrage, profound sorrow" and condemned the "despicable, senseless, horrendous and cowardly terrorist attack".

The resolution said the House "extends its heartfelt condolences to and sympathises with the Parliament, Government, the people of Pakistan, the bereaved families and the injured."

It said, "The House resolves that all barbaric terrorist attacks against innocent people especially vulnerable children should not be tolerated and calls upon all the nations and each and every one with all the energies at their command to fight against all acts of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations."

In Rajya Sabha, Ansari said, "This senseless and brutal cowardly act is deplorable. The loss of innocent lives in this incident is indeed tragic and unfortunate. This incident only reaffirms our resolve to fight terrorism with more determination and firmness."

The House later joined Ansari in observing silence as a mark of respect to the memory of those who lost their lives.