Pak military court sentences 5 'hardcore terrorists' to death

Islamabad, Sep 2: Five 'hardcore terrorists' were today sentenced to death by Pakistan's recently legalised secret military courts for their involvement in sectarian killings and attack on a girls' school.

Army chief General Raheel Sharif confirmed the death sentences of the five accused persons. One another terrorist was jailed for life by the courts which were established as part of a crackdown on militancy following a massacre at an army-run school in Peshawar last year in which over 150 people, mostly school children were killed.

"Chief of Army Staff confirms death sentences of another five hardcore terrorists, involved in killing of an advocate at Lahore, sectarian killings in Quetta, killings of police officials at Gudab Karachi, breaking of BannuJail, attack on a Girls school in Khyber Agency and attack on polio team in Khyber Agency," army said in a statement.

"Out of six terrorists, five were awarded death sentence and one life imprisonment by the military courts," military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said.

The details of trial like date and venue were not shared by the military as the special courts operate in secrecy. Only lawyers of the accused are allowed to attend the proceedings.

On August 25, General Sharif approved an increase in the number of military courts in Karachi to handle "outstanding terrorist cases."

Following the Peshawar attack, the government had lifted the moratorium on the death penalty and the Parliament passed the 21st amendment which established military courts which was challenged in the Supreme Court.

The apex court ruled in favour of setting up of the courts earlier this month.

PTI