For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails
The Queen has shared her sympathies with those who have been left bereft, following the Peshawar massacre in Pakistan.
The monarch sent a message of condolence to the President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain on behalf of herself and the Duke of Edinburgh.
“It was with great sadness that I learned of the tragic loss of life in Peshawar,” she wrote. “On behalf of the people of the United Kingdom, Prince Philip and I wish to convey to you and to the people of Pakistan our deepest sympathy.
“As fellow members of the Commonwealth, we place so much emphasis on young people and the hope they inspire across the world. I am particularly saddened that so many of the victims were children and their teachers, struck down at their place of learning.”
Show all 30 1 /30In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Women mourn the death of a relative who was killed during the attack on the Army Public School, in Peshawar
Reuters
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Sirajul Haq (3-R) head of the Islamic political party Jamat-e-Islami leads the funeral prayers of two school boys who were killed by Taliban militants at a school run by the Army, in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Schoolchildren take part in a prayer for victims of the Taliban attack on the Army Public School in Peshawar, in the northern Indian city of Mathura
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Indian schoolchildren prepare lighted candles ahead of a vigil in the northern city of Jalandhar, as they pay tribute to slain Pakistani schoolchildren and staff after an attack on an army school in the restive city of Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Pakistani journalists in Islamabad attend a vigil for the victims of the attack
EPA
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Chairs are upturned and blood stains the floor at the Army Public School auditorium the day after Taliban gunmen stormed the school in Peshawar, Pakistan
AP
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan The uncle and cousin of injured student comfort him as he mourns the death of his mother who was a teacher at the school which was attacked by Taliban
AP
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Pakistani schoolgirls pray for victims, who were killed in an attack at the Army-run school in Peshawar, during a memorial ceremony in their school in Hyderabad, Pakistan,
EPA
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A Pakistani girl, who was injured in a Taliban attack in a school, is rushed to a hospital in Peshawar
AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A man carries a student, who was injured during an attack by Taliban gunmen on the Army Public School, after he received treatment at a hospital in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Rescue workers and family members carry the coffin of a student, who killed during an attack by Taliban gunmen on the Army Public School, in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Relatives of a student, who was injured during an attack by Taliban gunmen on the Army Public School, comfort each other outside Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan People carry the casket of a victim of Taliban attack in a school, after receiving it from a local hospital in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A Pakistani woman reacts as she arrives near the site of an attack by Taliban gunmen on a school in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A plainclothes security officer escorts students rescued from nearby school during a Taliban attack in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Pakistani volunteers carry a student injured in the shootout at a school under attack by Taliban gunmen, at a local hospital in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A school boy who was injured in a Taliban attack receives medical treatment at a hospital in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Hospital staff transport a student injured in the shootout at a school under attack by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A Pakistani woman weeps as she waits at a hospital, where victims of a Taliban attack are being treated in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A hospital security guard helps a student injured in the shootout at a school under attack by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A soldier escorts schoolchildren from the Army Public School that is under attack by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Schoolchildren stand outside after being rescued from the Army Public School that in under attack by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A Pakistani army soldier takes position on a bunker close to a school under attack by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A rescue worker waves to make way for an ambulance as it speeded away form a school that was attacked by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A school boy who was injured in a Taliban attack receives medical treatment at a hospital in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A school boy who was injured in a Taliban attack receives medical treatment at a hospital in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A man talks on a phone, with his arm around a student, outside a military run school that is under attack by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Schoolchildren cross a road as they move away from a military run school that is under attack by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan Pakistani army troops cordon off a road leading to a school under attack by Taliban gunmen in Peshawar
In pictures: Taliban attack on army school in Pakistan Pakistan A school boy who was injured in a Taliban attack receives medical treatment at a hospital in Peshawar
The brutal attack – which was carried out on Tuesday by the Pakistan Taliban - resulted in the deaths of 132 children and nine staff members. The Army Public School was stormed by seven members of Tehrik-e-Taliban, wearing army uniform and suicide vests, who launched a shooting spree.
The Queen added that her “thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who died”.
“I wish the many who were injured a swift and full recovery, and my heartfelt condolences go to all those who have been bereaved,” she concluded, signing the message “Elizabeth R”.
The Tehrik-e-Taliban said that the act was revenge for a military campaign called Zarb-e-Azb against the TTP in the North Waziristan tribal area, which has left an estimated 1,000 militants dead.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies