Reactions from across the world poured in on Twitter after a tragic blast hit the religious seminary in northern Peshawar, Pakistan, early on Tuesday. The explosion has left eight people dead and more than 50 people injured, mostly children.
While the blast marks the resurgence of terrorism in Pakistan following the months of calm and stability, the country’s senior leadership, including Prime Minister Imran Khan and the international community, has voiced regret and sorrow on the incident.
Deeply saddened by terrorist attack on madrassah in Peshawar. My condolences go to the victims families & prayers for early recovery of the injured. I want to assure my nation we will ensure the terrorists responsible for this cowardly barbaric attack are brought to justice asap
— Imran Khan (@ImranKhanPTI) October 27, 2020
Very sorry to hear about the blast & casualties in Peshawar. Terrorists, who had been defeated, are again hitting us becuz IK has pitched security apparatus against the opposition instead of terrorists. National Action Plan has been forgotten. Min of Interor is extension of NAB.
— Ahsan Iqbal (@betterpakistan) October 27, 2020
Once again terrorists target our children in Peshawar – this time in a madrassah. Cowardly act by terrorists – so sad and heart wrenching. Our fight against terrorists & their extremist ideologies has to be won decisively – we have no option.
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) October 27, 2020
The videos and images from the blasts sites have been circulating on international and local media since morning.
The ambassador of Turkey to Pakistan, Mustafa Yurkadul, also condemned the cowardly attack on children.
Read more: Peshawar madrassa blast: The emerging security situation in Pakistan.
“Targeting young students is as low as it gets…I strongly condemn the attack on a madrassa in #Peshawar. Patience for the relatives of the lost ones and Prayers for the quick recovery of the wounded,” wrote Yurkadul in his tweet.
Targeting young students is as low as it gets…I strongly condemn the attack on a madrassa in #Peshawar. Patience for the relatives of the lost ones and Prayers for the quick recovery of the wounded. https://t.co/WGRCZEqQxV
— 🇹🇷 Mustafa Yurdakul/مصطفی 🌞 (@Mustafa_MFA) October 27, 2020
Afghani peace activist Shkula Zadran also regretted an attack on the children. International journalists also expressed condolence on Peshawar’s explosion, a second terror attack on children in Peshawar’s educational institute.
Read more: Four children killed, dozens injured in blast at Peshawar madrassa.
Ambassador of Netherlands to Pakistan, Wouter Plomp, also reacted to the blast. “Very sad to learn about the terrible terrorist attack on children in Peshawar. I express my heartfelt condolences for the victims’ families and wish a speedy and full recovery to the injured. #PeshawarBlast,” he tweeted.
Very sad to learn about terrible terrorist attack on children in Peshawar. I express my heartfelt condolences for the families of the victims and wish speedy and full recovery to the injured. #PeshawarBlast https://t.co/kMbZY1cUlF
— Wouter Plomp (@NLAmbPlomp) October 27, 2020
International journalist Diaa Hadid called it a horrible day for Afghanistan and Pakistan. “There’s been a bomb blast in a religious seminary in northern Pakistan. The explosion occurred during a Qur’an class, and officials tell us at least four children are killed, five seriously wounded, and dozens more injured. A horrible day in Afghanistan and Pakistan,” wrote Hadid in a tweet.
Updating the blast at the madrassa in Peshawar: A doctor at Lady Reading Hospital where many casualties were taken says the dead and wounded were aged between 5 and 15 years old. Panicked families and relatives are crowding the hospital to check on their kids https://t.co/gZe1bIwocf
— Diaa Hadid ضياء حديد (@diaahadid) October 27, 2020
“Famous anti #Daesh scholar Rahimullah Haqqani’s madrassa in Peshawar was attacked where dozens of young students were present. Many young kids are feared to have been killed in the blast. Haqqani is known for his criticism of #salafism and Daesh,” wrote Afghani journalist Sangar Paykhar in a tweet.
https://twitter.com/paykhar/status/1320947144715603968?s=20
https://twitter.com/paykhar/status/1320974201247903747?s=20
However, insensitive comments poured in on Indian Twitter following the blast.
GVS News Desk