Peshawar attack: PM Modi calls upon schools to observe two minute silence

Narendra ModiNew Delhi, Dec. 17 - In the wake of dastardly attack in Pakistan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to schools across India to observe two minute s of silence on Wednesday as a mark of solidarity.

Prime Minister Modi, earlier on Tuesday, also had a telephonic conversation with his Pakistan counterpart Nawaz Sharif and offering deepest condolences and all assistance in the hour of misery.

"In the wake of dastardly attack in Pakistan, I appeal to schools across India to observe 2 mins of silence tomorrow as a mark of solidarity," tweeted Prime Minister Modi.

"Spoke to PM Nawaz Sharif over the telephone. Offered my deepest condolences on the dastardly terror attack in Peshawar," he added.

"India stands firmly with Pakistan in fight against terror. Told PM Sharif we are ready to provide all assistance during this hour of grief," he said in a series of tweetes.

Prime Minister Modi also hoped that the children who had witnessed the horrific attack and loss of their friends would come through this trauma through counselling.

During his telephonic talk with Nawaz Sharif, Prime Minister Modi said that this moment of shared pain and mourning is also a call for India and Pakistan and all those who believe in humanity to join hands to decisively and comprehensively defeat terrorism.

The banned terrorist outfit Tehrik-i- Taliban Pakistan (TTP) on Tuesday attacked the Army Public School in Peshawar, leading to the death of 131 people, including at least 100 students.

According to reports, the terrorists stormed the Peshawar school dressed as Frontier Corps' officers. One of the militants reportedly blew himself up, while the others were gunned down by security agencies. Hundreds of people were taken hostage within the school premises before the terrorists were eliminated. However, the presence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) throughout the school reportedly hampered the speed of the evacuation of the hostages.

Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asim Bajwa took to twitter to express his grief at the attack, adding that the terrorists were the enemies of humanity. (ANI)