Gen Bajwa confirms death sentences of seven hardcore terrorists

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday confirmed the death sentences awarded to another seven hardcore terrorists.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the militants were convicted by military courts and were involved in heinous offences related to terrorism, including killing of innocent civilians, attacking law enforcement agencies and armed forces of Pakistan.

On the whole, they were found guilty in the killing of 85 people and injuring 109 others. Arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession. Besides, five others were were awarded imprisonment of various duration.

The seven convicts were tried by military courts. They were named as Atlas Khan, Yousaf Khan, Farhan, Khalay Gul, Nazar Moon, Nek Maeel Khan, and Akbar Ali.

Atlas Khan s/o Mada Mir Jan and Muhammad Yousaf Khan s/o Mir Azam Khan were both members of proscribed organization. They were involved in attacking armed forces of Pakistan. The convicts admitted their offences before the magistrate and the trial court and were awarded death sentences.

Farhan s/o Seen Gul was involved in killing of innocent civilian and attacking law enforcement agencies resulting in death of Assistant Sub-Inspector Jan Daraz Khan along with two police officials, Subedar Muhammad Irfan, Naib Subedar Abudullah as well as twelve other soldiers and injuries to 18 other soldiers of the army and Frontier Constabulary.

Khalay Gul s/o Niaz Min Gul and Nazar Moon s/o Akimoon were both members of proscribed organisation and were also awarded death sentences. Nek Maeel Khan s/o Amal Khan was involved in attacking law enforcement agencies. He was also found in possession of explosives. The convict admitted his offences and was sentenced to death.

Akbar Ali s/o Bakhtiar was a member of proscribed organisation. He was involved in killing of civilians Shahi Rahman and Badi-ur-Rahman, both members of village defence committee in Swat. He was also found in possession of firearms. He was also awarded death sentence.

Military courts were formed on January 7, 2015 after several delays, and extended for a period of two years in March 2017. More than 56 people on death row have been executed since the the start of Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad.