"This atrocity violates the sanctity and dignity of human life. It is a violation of humanitarian law, which is clear that hospitals, doctors and patients must be protected," Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said in a statement.

"For this reason, it's essential that we exercise restraint in apportioning responsibility before all the facts are clear."

(Reporting by Sachin Ravikumar; writing by Farouq Suleiman)