Pakistan Army Chief confirms death sentences for 11 'hardcore terrorists'

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday confirmed the death sentence of 11 hardcore terrorists, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Three other convicts were also awarded imprisonment.

The terrorists had been a part of heinous offences related to terrorism, including attacks on law enforcement agencies and armed forces of Pakistan, Malakand University, and killing of innocent civilians including Imran Khan Mohmind, a member of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly, the ISPR said.

Out of them, three terrorists identified as Burhanuddin, Shaheer Khan and Gul Faraz Khan were convicted of attacking a funeral ceremony in Zargrano Killi, Sher Ghar, Mardan, which resulted in the death of 30 civilians including Imran Khan Mohmind, member of KP Assembly, and injuries to 100 others These convicts admitted their offences before the magistrate and the trial court. All convicts were awarded death sentences, reports said.

The killed 60 included, "36 civilians, 24 Armed Forces/Frontier Constabulary/ Police Officials and injuring 142 others," according to a statement issued by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

All 14 convicts, who were members of banned organisations, admitted their offences were awarded death sentences.

The trials are closed to the public but defendants are allowed to hire lawyers, according to the reports.

Arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession.