BOXER Amir Khan has visited the school devastated by Taliban militants in Pakistan.

The Bolton champion paid his respects to the 132 children and 16 adults slaughtered by gunman at the Army School on December 16.

Amir travelled to Pakistan last week, having already condemned the Taliban attack on the school.

Today he visited the school, prayed at the site of the attack and met young survivors, who he said he had encouraged to go back to school.

He told gathered media outside the school that it was "very sad" to see the pictures of the dead, but said he wanted to inspire children to return to school through his visit.

Amir said: "It is very sad to come here and see the pictures of the poor children, the innocent children and teachers who were killed.

"I have come here to show my respects.

"The main reason I came to Pakistan was to come to Peshawar and to see the parents and give children confidence to go back to school.

"A lot of children will be scared to go back to school. It is all about us giving them confidence and improving security around the areas and pushing them forward.

"Children are the future of Pakistan.

"This is very sad and my heart goes out to the parents.

"We have to stop terrorism and the people of Pakistan we can stop it."

Born in Bolton, and of Pakistani origin, Amir also donated the £30,000 shorts he wore during his recent victory over Devon Alexander to help raise money to repair the Army School.

During his visit, Amir has also tweeted a picture of himself with Pakistani troops.

He posted: "In Peshawar with Pakistani Army who are doing their very best to stop terrorism in Pakistan."

Last week, in the wake of the deadly attacks, Amir hit out at the Taliban, labelling their actions disgusting.

He said: "I don’t have family there but it hurt me as a father with a little girl.

"Innocent kids were killed over nothing. The Taliban are killing their own people – these people have no brains and I can’t believe people would do something like this.

"It upsets me – it’s disgusting seeing things like that. It is putting Pakistan back. It is a nice country but things like this don’t help."