CoAS confirms death sentences to four hardcore terrorists

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Wednesday confirmed death sentences to four hardcore terrorists involved in heinous offences related to terrorism, according to the Army's media wing. The Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement that the suspects were accused of abducting/slaughtering of soldiers and attacking on personnel of law enforcement agencies (LEAs) and Armed Forces.
"On the whole, they were involved in killing of 21 persons and injuring another person. Arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession. These convicts were tried by the military courts. They were awarded death sentences," the statement reads.
The Army shared the following details of the accused:
1. Shabbir Ahmed, son of Muhammad Shafique. The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation involved in attacking Armed Forces personnel, which resulted in the death of Major Adnan and 10 soldiers. He was also involved in the kidnapping and slaughtering of four soldiers.
2. Umara Khan, son of Ahmed Khan. The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation and was involved in attacking Armed Forces personnel, which resulted in the death of three soldiers. He was also involved in the destruction of Government Girls Primary School, Hazara. He was found in possession of firearms and explosives.
3. Tahir Ali, son of Syed Nabi. The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation and involved in attacking Armed Forces personnel, which resulted in the death of two soldiers.
4. Aftabud Din, son of Farrukh Zada. The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation and involved in attacking law enforcement agency personnel, which resulted in the death of a police official and caused injuries to another. He was found in possession of firearms and explosives.
All the convicts admitted their offences before the magistrate and the trial court, after which they were awarded the death sentence, said the statement. Earlier in March, President Mamnoon Hussain signed the 28th Amendment Bill 2017, extending military courts for another two years. The bill, following the President's signature, is now an Act of Parliament. Under this Act, the duration of the military courts has been extended for another two years till January 7, 2019.