THE terrible news coming out of Beslan, Russia, with its almost 1,000 captives held under atrocious conditions in a school building, shows the evil that some men and women are capable of.

The latest count of dead - more than 320, with more than 150 of these children - makes me, for one, pleased that at least 35 of the terrorists have been killed.

No matter what the provocation - and I don't doubt there has been plenty - ordinary men, women and especially children are never a legitimate target. No government of any country has ever submitted to terrorism when the victims are members of the general public. President Putin and his government may be legitimate targets, the general public never.

Nine has been mentioned as the number of terrorists in this attack who are of Arabic nationality. All the terrorists were what the media quaintly describe as "Ilamists", whatever that means - but, of course, we are not allowed to identify them by their religion, are we?

The shooting of children in the back as they flee in terror shows a wanton disregard for any desire for a civilised settlement of any disputes, real or imaginary.

We have been told that the Koran forbids the killing of the innocent, especially children. How then are we to view these murders? Are the "martyrs" going to paradise or to hell? Perhaps someone who is an expert on these matters will give us all an answer.

Mr F Isherwood

Latham Road

Blackrod