The Taliban has killed dozens of children at a Peshawar school in a revenge mission for Pakistani schoolgirl activist Malala Yousafzai being awarded the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize.

Ahmed Rashid, an expert on the Islamic militants, told the BBC the insurgents had various reasons to attack the school, one of which was to send a message to the supporters of Malala, who advocates education for women and children.

In response to the events at the school in Pakistan, education campaigner Malala has condemned the “atrocious and cowardly” attack. As reported by the Guardian, she said: “I am heartbroken by this senseless and cold-blooded act of terror in Peshawar that is unfolding before us. Innocent children in their school have no place in horror such as this.

“I condemn these atrocious and cowardly acts and stand united with the government and armed forces of Pakistan whose efforts so far to address this horrific event are commendable. I, along with millions of others around the world, mourn these children, my brothers and sisters – but we will never be defeated.”

At least five militants entered the school, in north-west Pakistan, wearing security uniforms and massacred 126 people, mainly children, on Tuesday (16 December). The Pakistani army officials said hundreds of students were evacuated but it is not yet clear how many are still in the building.

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  Pakistan schoolchildren massacred in revenge attack for Nobel Peace Prize, WorldTribune.com