Armed militants on Tuesday burst into an army-run school in Peshawar city of northern Pakistan killing at least 12 students and took others and teachers as hostages.
A doctor from the emergency ward of the Lady Reading Hospital, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, told KUNA that 12 children have been killed, so far, and that more than 40 people have been injured in the incident.
According to initial reports, around six gunmen have stormed the Army Public School Peshawar where 500 students and teachers are believed to be inside.
The provincial Health Minister, Shahram Tarkai, also confirmed in a statement that 12 students and a female teacher have been killed so far in the attack.
Security forces are carrying "an operation against the terroritsts," according to a statement by the security authorities, and a state of emergency has been declared in all hospitals of the provincial capital.
Condition of many injured students is reported critical and the death toll is feared to rise. Security forces have cordoned off the area and evacuation of children is underway.