Pakistan School Massacre Sparks Global Outrage; Taliban Hunt Begins With Massive Airstrikes

Pakistan retaliates against the Taliban militants who massacred 132 children and nine staff in the Peshawar school. The government has ordered the military to launch massive airstrikes against the Taliban's border region strongholds.

The recent Peshawar school massacre provoked global outrage as the world condemns the seven members of the Teh-rik-e-Taliban or the Pakistan Taliban. The militants, who wore army uniforms, stormed the Army Public School and shot students and staff on sight.

According to the Guardian, the crossfire with Pakistani commandos lasted for about eight hours before the Peshawar school was cleared of attackers. Government security forces said some of the Taliban militants were killed by commandos while others committed suicide.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban had already claimed responsibility for the school massacre and justified its actions as revenge for the Pakistani army offensive in tribal that reportedly left about 1,000 militants dead and with thousands displaced. According to Taliban spokesperson Mohammed Umar Khurasani, the group chose the school because the Pakistani government was "targeting families and females." He said the Taliban wanted the government to "feel the pain."

Reports said the Taliban had claimed militants had spared the younger children from the attack but survivors swore their attackers had shot children randomly. In the coming weeks and months, authorities fear the growing violence in the region as the Pakistani army may want to avenge the deaths of their children.

Pakistani chief of staff, General Raheel Sharif, had indicated that massive airstrikes will be launched against Taliban targets in the Khyber region. The army chief has vowed to pursue the "monsters" until they are all eliminated.

Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has promised to continue the military offensive until "terrorism is rooted from out land." In memory of the victims, the government has declared three days of mourning. The horrific attack has incited outrage both in Pakistan and other countries in the world. Although Pakistan is no stranger to terrorist attacks in the last decade, the deaths of over a hundred children had sparked anger and shock.

World leaders condemned the Taliban attack in Pakistan with U.S. President Barack Obama describing the Peshwara school massacre a "heinous" crime. Secretary of State John Kerry called it "an unspeakable horror." The U.S. agrees with the sentiment that the group behind the attack must be brought to justice, according to Channel News Asia.

British Prime Minister David Cameron called the day of the attack a "dark day for humanity" since no belief system in the world can justify the act of violence. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott offered his sympathies to the families of the victims. He said it was impossible to put into words the feelings of grief and fury felt by Pakistanis.