Peshawar:
Six terrorists entered an army-run school in Peshawar in north-west Pakistan on Tuesday morning and opened fire, killing four students and wounding dozens.
Eyewitnesses say the terrorists, dressed in army uniforms, entered the school through a graveyard near the back entrance. They torched a vehicle, entered the school premises and started firing. (
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At least 500 children and teachers could still be in the school, reports say. The gunmen allegedly went from room to room.
"We were asked to sit in the auditorium until the firing is over," said a child who was able to come out.
Worried parents and security forces have gathered at the spot.
Heavy gunfire could be heard from inside the school as soldiers surrounded it. According to an official tweet, artillery, helicopters, military, police, intelligence and ground forces are in the area to stop the terrorists.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban called up media houses and claimed responsibility for the attack.
"Our suicide bombers have entered the school, they have instructions not to harm the children, but to target the army personnel," Taliban spokesman Muhammad Umar Khorasani told Reuters.
The attack is being linked to the Pakistani army's offensive against terrorists in North Waziristan near the Afghan border.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has condemned the attack.