FAMILIES gathered by candlelight at a vigil for youngsters and their teachers targeted in a Taliban terrorist attack.

More than 140 people, mostly children, were killed in the attack at the school in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Tuesday. Gunmen went from class to class shooting the students in the Pakistani Taliban’s deadliest attack to date.

Oxford-based group United for Peace: Communities United Against Extremism organised last night’s event in Bonn Square.

Founder of The Oxford Foundation Imam Monawar Hussain said: “The Oxford Foundation with its cohort of volunteers and mentors, is deeply saddened today to hear of the horrific terrorist attack on a school in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing and injuring over 100 children and their teachers. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families.”

Abrar Chaudhury, 40, who attended the vigil with his daughter Anushka, 11, and son Naadir, nine, said: “We are just devastated, we’re just heartbroken and very depressed. I guess all we can think about is the parents and children in Pakistan and we’re hoping that this can never happen again.”

 

Our top stories

 

 

  • Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.