132 Killed, 122 Wounded in Deadly Attack by Militants in Pakistan Army School

At least 132 people are dead, mostly school students, and scores other injured in a deadly attack by militants in an army school in Peshawar, Pakistan, on Tuesday.

Five or six militants in army garb entered the school and took students and teachers hostage. The school was soon surrounded by army troops and an exchange of fire ensued, which is still on. A Reuters report said three blasts were heard and intermittent gun shots can still be heard.

Bahramand Khan, director of information for the regional Chief Minister's Secretariat, said at least 126 people were killed and 122 wounded.

"It may rise," he said, adding that more than 100 of the dead were school children, reports Reuters.

A spokesman for a faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack. He said gunmen had been ordered to shoot older students but not children.

"We selected the army's school for the attack because the government is targeting our families and females," said Taliban spokesman Muhammad Umar Khorasani. "We want them to feel the pain."

The security sources said  three militants were also killed during the rescue operation while one blew himself in a blast.

 The Taliban is facing renewed army attacks on its bases in tribal areas of Pakistan and it is believed this is in retaliation to the increased assaults by the government forces.

It is believed that there are some trapped inside and rescue operations are on by the army personnel to free the hostages.