KEIGHLEY MP Kris Hopkins said he was horrified by a "gutless" Taliban attack in Pakistan today where 126 people, including 80 children, are believed to have been killed.

At least ten attackers wearing police uniforms and suicide vests reportedly stormed an army-run school in the Pakistani city of Pershawar.

The gunmen were reported to have fired at random inside the school before the building was surrounded by Pakistani troops, who exchanged fire with the militants.

Speaking in the Houses of Parliament this morning, Mr Hopkins (Con) said: "I can barely express how appalled and horrified I am at this gutless and sickening attack.

"Sadly, civilians lose their lives in all wars. But for these gunmen to force their way into a school with the intent of murdering scores of children is almost beyond words.

"My thoughts are with the families of all of those who were killed or injured, including the teachers and military personnel who were targeted.

"I know there that a great many of my constituents, particularly those of Pakistani origin, will be equally shocked and upset by what has happened.

"There can be no justification for such barbarous actions which can only be condemned in the strongest possible terms.”

The attackers apparently burnt a teacher in front of pupils and held some of the 500 students hostage.

The death toll has been put at 126.

Imran Khan, the Chancellor at the University of Bradford, politician and former Pakistan cricket captain, added: "I'm shocked at the attack on school in Peshawar.

"I strongly condemn this inhuman act of utter barbarism."

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