Indian-controlled Kashmir offers prayers in absentia for slain in Pakistani school

As Pakistan mourns massacre of children in a deadly attack on army- run school at the hands of terrorists from Pakistani Taliban, people in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Wednesday offered prayers in absentia for the slain.

The prayers were led by senior separatist leaders Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Geelani in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.

Thousands of people attended the prayers at grand mosque in Srinagar led by Farooq.Ahead of prayers, Farooq expressed his solidarity and sympathy with the families who lost their dear ones to Tuesday's terrorist attack.

"There is no room for terrorism in Islam and Peshawar terrorist attackers have no place in Islam and those savages who committed this crime cannot call themselves Muslims," said Farooq, who is also a chief cleric. "There can be no justification for this gruesome crime."

Farooq said Kashmiris were sharing the grief and pain of Pakistanis in this difficult time and offered condolences to the families of deceased on behalf of Kashmiris.

Pakistan is observing a three-day mourning over the Peshawar massacre.Following the culmination of prayers, people shouted pro- Pakistan slogans.Several black flags were conspicuous during the prayers to show their solidarity with Pakistan.

On Tuesday, heavily armed men from the Pakistani Taliban attacked an army-run school in Peshawar and went on killing spree.

According to Pakistan's official broadcaster -- Radio Pakistan, the death toll has gone up to 144.

A spokesman of hardline faction of Hurriyat (freedom) Conference said Geelani led prayers in absentia for the victims of Peshawar terror attack at mosque in Hyderpora locality.

According to spokesman Geelani, the attack was against humanity and such kind of insanity and savagery should be stopped.

"Killings in the name of Islam or Jihad (holy war) is not Islam nor such barbaric acts are justified," the spokesman quoted Geelani as saying. "We stand with the people of Pakistan in this hour of grief and with the families and loved ones of all those who lost their lives in this heart wrenching incident."

Reports pouring in from various places said similar prayers were held for those killed in Tuesday's attack.

Meanwhile, various schools and institutions in the region held candle light vigil and staged a two-minute silence to mourn death of school children in Pakistan.

Condemnations are pouring in from all of the world against the attack on school and killing of school children in Pakistan.

Indian parliament (lawmaking body) also expressed profound sorrow and offered condolences over the dastardly massacre in Peshawar school.