Army chief confirms death sentence of 13 'hardcore terrorists'

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Sunday confirmed death sentences awarded to another 13 hardcore terrorists, who were involved in heinous offences related to terrorism, including killing and slaughtering of innocent civilians, officials of law enforcement agencies and armed forces of Pakistan.

According to ISPR, these terrorists also include those who planned and executed attacks on Bacha Khan University Charsada, Parade Lane Mosque Rawalpindi, Marriot Hotel Islamabad, office of an NGO at Mansehra and educational institution at Nawagai Buner.

The statement added that said terrorists were involved in killing 325 persons and causing injuries to 366 others. Fire-arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession. These convicts were tried by the military courts.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lifted the moratorium on Dec. 17, 2014 a day after Pakistani Taliban gunmen attacked a school and killed 134 students and 19 adults. The killings put pressure the government to do more to tackle the Islamist insurgency.

At the time of lifting moratorium, the government said only militants would be executed. But a few days later, Reuters added, it emerged that officials had widened the policy for all prisoners on death row whose appeals had been rejected.