While both Houses of Parliament on Wednesday passed a resolution condemning Tuesday’s attack on an army school in Peshawar killing 132 children, in schools across the country too, students observed two minutes of silence.
In his condolence message at the Pakistan High Commission, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval said, “The whole of India was shocked and stunned to learn about this unbelievable carnage by the terrorists. No words are adequate to express our agony on the killing of innocent school children. My condolences to all the bereaved families and the people of Pakistan who must be undergoing the pain that is insufferable. I pray for the peace of departed souls and the strenght to the families to bear this tragedy. India is solidly behind the people and government of Pakistan and will do everything possible to help them counter the menace.”
Social networks recorded a surge in messages of solidarity with ‘hashtags’ like #IndiawithPakistan and #PrayforPakistan racked up 1.1 million tweets in a 24-hour period, according to Twitter India officials.
The attack has also sparked worries about attacks on schools in India. Home Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed to reporters that “a new advisory has been issued to State governments” regarding security to schools.
Intelligence agencies have already sent out a high alert for ‘lone wolf’ and ‘fidayeen’ style attacks at malls and other public places, and have been carrying out mock security drills in Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad.
In addition, several schools in Delhi have been sent guidelines asking them to prepare “escape and contingency plans” and conduct drills with students.
However, there was no official response from New Delhi to Mr. Sharif’s resolve to crack down on “every last terrorist,” announced at a press conference in Peshawar, where he said, “there is no good Taliban or bad Taliban.”
