BEIJING, Dec. 16 -- China on Tuesday strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a school in Pakistan.

"We are deeply shocked and grieved by the attack and condemn in the strongest terms the terrorists," Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang said in a statement issued on Tuesday night.

Qin's comments came hours after Taliban militants attacked an army-run public school in Pakistan's northwest city of Peshawar on Tuesday afternoon.

Local media in Pakistan quoted hospital sources and unidentified security sources as saying that 137 people were killed and 245 others injured.

China extends heartfelt condolences to the victims and expresses deep sympathy to the wounded and the families of the victims, Qin said.

Stressing China opposes terrorism in any form, Qin said China will continue to firmly support the unremitting Pakistani efforts to fight terrorism, safeguard national stability and save people's lives.