COAS confirms death sentences of 22 hardcore terrorists: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Friday confirmed the death sentences of 22 hardcore terrorists involved in bombings and attacks that claimed the lives of 176 soldiers, law enforcers, and civilians, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.

According to a press release from the military’s media wing, the convicted terrorists "were involved in heinous offences related to terrorism, i.e. attacking Armed Forces/ Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan, exploding of Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device to carry out sectarian killings, destruction of communication infrastructure, police check posts, educational institutions and killing of innocent civilians".

Arms and explosives were also recovered from the terrorists' possession when they were arrested, said ISPR.

The convicts were behind terrorist attacks that resulted in the "death of 176 persons including 19 Armed Forces personnel, 41 police/levies officials and 116 civilians, whereas, injuring 217 others".

The convicts also included at least six terrorists involved in the March 2013 bombing in Karachi's Abbas Town which claimed 57 lives and another convict who abetted a suicide bomb attack at the city's Nishtar Park which resulted in the death of 54 persons in April 2006.

The convicts were tried by special military courts, which also awarded prison sentences to 15 other convicts and acquitted two others.

Details of the convicted terrorists:

1. Khairuddin S/O Muhammad Yousaf, Muhammad Ishaq S/O Asim Khan, Inamullah S/O Khakay Khan, Alam Sher S/O Qayyum Khan, Irfan S/O Zar Khan Yousafzai and Civ Muhammad Shafique S/O Aziz Ullah Jan

All the convicts were members of proscribed organization. They were involved in killing of innocent civilians by exploding vehicle borne improvised explosives device, at Abbas Town Karachi, which resulted in death of 57 persons and injuries to 79 others. They were also found in possession of firearms and explosives. These convicts admitted their offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. They were awarded death sentence.

2. Sultan Mehmood S/O Syed Talib

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in killing of innocent civilians by abetting a suicide bombing attack on 11 April 2006 at Nishtar Park, Karachi, which resulted in death of 54 persons and injuries to 113 others. The convict admitted his offence before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was awarded death sentence.

3. Muhammad Tahir S/O Talimand

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in killing of innocent civilian and attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan, which resulted in death of Major Hafiz Attique Ahmed, Captain Amir Butt, Havildar Abdul Aziz along with 5 other soldiers. He was also found in possession of fire-arms/explosives. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.

4. Zafar Ali S/O Muhammad Naeem

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan, which resulted in death of Naib Subedar Muhammad Hanif, Havildar Muhammad Naseer, Havildar Muhammad Qayyum Ahmad, Naik Iftikhar Ali, along with 2 soldiers and injuries to 9 other soldiers. He was also found in possession of fire-arms/explosives. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate as well as during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.

5. Umar Karim S/O Umar Rahim

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in killing of innocent civilian and attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan, which resulted in death of civilian Masood Ahmed, Major Hafiz Attique Ahmed, Captain Amir Butt, Havildar Abdul Aziz along with 3 other soldiers. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate as well as during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.

6. Muhammad Sher Wali Khan S/O Usman Ghani and Rahmat Shah S/O Fawaz Khan

Both the convicts were members of proscribed organization. They were involved in attacking Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan, which resulted in death of Assistant Sub Inspector Noor Zaman, Naib Subedar Hussain Faraz along with 3 other solders and injuries to 5 others. They were also found in possession of fire-arms. These convicts admitted their offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during their statements at the trials. They were awarded death sentence.

7. Bakhtawar S/O Muhammad Bar Khan and Rasheed Ullah S/O Shah Naseem

Both the convicts were members of proscribed organization. They were involved in killing of innocent civilians and attacking Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan, which resulted in death of civilian Sultan Muhammad, civilian Malik Bahram Khan, 28 Levies/Police Officials and injuries to 4 other police officials. The convicts confessed their offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during their statements at the trials. They were awarded death sentence.

8. Faheem ud Din S/O Andaz Gul

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in killing of Police/Levies officials and attacking Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan, which resulted in death of 6 soldiers. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.

9. Zahir Shah S/O Syed Badshah

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in killing of Sepoy Gohar Ali and Aamir Sher, Levies/Khasadar force. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.

10. Said Muhammad S/O Sabzi Aman

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan, which resulted in death of Havildar Allah Dita and Sepoy Bacha Hussain. He was also involved in destruction of Government Girls Middle School, Gulibagh as well as abducting of a civilian for ransom. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.

11. Arab Jan S/O Shahi Khan

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in attacking Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan, which resulted in death of Sepoy Said Amin. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.

12. Muhammad Ishaq S/O Muhammad Ghafoor

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan and destruction of an education institution, which resulted in death of 3 soldiers. He was found in possession of fire-arms. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.

13. Tanhaj Ali S/O Muhammad Zeb Khan

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan, which resulted in death of Naib Subedar Muhammad Hanif, Sepoy Shoukat Ali, and injuries to 3 other soldiers. He was also found in possession of fire-arms and explosives. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.

14. Abdul Rafee S/O Sarkamand

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in attacking Armed Forces, Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan, which resulted in death of Naib Subedar Muhammad Hanif, Sepoy Ikhlas Ahmed, Sepoy Shoukat Ali, and injuries to 6 other soldiers. He was also involved in destruction of Government Primary School, Langar and possession of fire-arms and explosives. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.

15. Muhammad Ishaq S/O Muhammad Ibrahim

The convict was a member of proscribed organization. He was involved in killing of innocent civilians and attacking Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan, which resulted in death of police constable Yasir Ali, civilian Aftab Ahmed and civilian Ali Haider and injuries to 2 other persons. The convict confessed his offences before the Judicial Magistrate and during his statement at the trial. He was awarded death sentence.