Won’t stop until all terrorists are eliminated: PM

• Sharif says terrorist attack on Peshawar school a national tragedy, announces three-day mourning
• Says Zarb-e-Azb will wipe out all terrorists, urges nation to stand united against extremism

Described the attack on schoolchildren in Peshawar as a “national tragedy unleashed by savages”, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has expressed firm resolve to continue Operation Zarb-e-Azb till the elimination of extremists and terrorists, appealing the nation to stand united for thwarting their designs.

“These were my children. This is my loss. This is the nation’s loss,” he said, adding: “Such acts of cowardice will not deter our resolve to end terrorism. The operation will continue till the extermination of the last terrorist.”

The prime minister, who rushed to Peshawar after the incident, discouraged fissures, differences and divisions in the nation at this critical juncture. He said the war against extremists and terrorists had entered into a critical phase after successfully achieving many of its stated objectives and the government, the nation and the armed forces were standing determined to wipe out the scourge, once and for all.

To a question, PM Sharif said that the federal and provincial governments would consider a compensation package for the victims’ families. He said important decisions would also be taken in the wake of the tragedy.

Earlier, the prime minister also announced a three-day national mourning to express solidarity with the families of those who lost their loved ones in the worst-ever attack on the school.

The terrorists targeted the Army Public School in Peshawar in an apparent reaction to the ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation in North Waziristan and resorted to indiscriminate firing that killed over 132 young school children, besides few members of the staff.

All the four provincial governments have already announced three days of mourning, as public, political and religious parties across the divide stand united in condemning the brutal attack.