Prime Minister Narendra Modi today strongly condemned the terror attack at Peshawar University, a gesture appreciated by his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif who said terrorism is a "common enemy" and a cooperative approach was essential to eliminate it.

"Strongly condemn the terror attack at Bacha Khan University in Pakistan. Condolences to families of the deceased. Prayers with the injured," Modi tweeted just hours after the grisly attack in which over 20 people were killed.

Sharif appreciated Modi's statement with regard to "the tragic and cowardly terrorist attack against the innocent students and faculty members of the Bacha Khan University in Charsadda", Pakistan Foreign Office said in Islamabad.

"This incident is yet another reminder that terrorism is our common enemy and a cooperative approach is essential to eliminate it from the region," Sharif was quoted as saying in the statement by the Foreign Office.

Heavily-armed Taliban militants stormed the prestigious university in Pakistan's restive northwest Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province this morning, firing indiscriminately on students and teachers.