Islamabad sentences 11 militants to death

Pakistan army chief Raheel Sharif on Tuesday confirmed 11 death sentences awarded by military courts over a series of attacks that killed dozens of security officials and civilians in recent years.

Convicted terrorists including Zia-ul-Haq, Fazal-e-Rabbi, Muhammad Sher, Umer Zada, Latif-ur-Rehman, Muham-mad Adil, Israr Ahmed, Abdul Majeed, Hazrat Ali, Mian Said Azam and Qaiser Khan were tried by the military courts.

According to a military statement, Ziaul Haq S/O Wali Khan was an active member of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He was involved in attacking the security forces which resulted in death of deputy inspector-general of police Fayyaz Sumbal, assistant sub inspector Raza Khan, several other police officials and inspector Kamran Nazir of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He was also involved in sectarian killings.

TTP terrorist Fazal-e-Rabbi S/O Fazal Ghafoor was involved in attacking the armed forces which resulted in death of Major Abid Majeed and injuries to several soldiers.

Banned outfits’ operatives are being tried by military courts which were established unanimously by the Parliament after attack on Army Public School (APS) Peshawar in December 2014. The government on December 17, 2014 lifted a six-year moratorium on death penalty. Since then, the authorities have executed more than 400 convicts.

Meanwhile, Pakistan military on Tuesdy launched an offensive in the northwestern tribal region close to Afghan border to check and guard against militant movement along high mountains and in Khyber Agency. The operation has been unleashed in the Rajgal valley of Khyber, one of seven tribal districts, where militants had a strong presence before army recaptured the region in 2015.

“An operation has been launched along Pak-Afghan border to reinforce troops deployment in Rajgal valley to effectively check and guard against terrorists movement along high mountains and all weather passes in Khyber Agency,” said military spokesman Lt. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa.

The area is notorious for its treacherous hilly passes and forested valleys, providing militants a natural location for hiding, training and attacking security forces.

The Army launched decisive operation called Khber-2 after Peshawar school attack in Khyber and completed in July 2015.

It helped government to establish its writ in Tirah valley, a strategic area close to Afghan border.