Pakistan awards death penalty to 6 for Peshawar school attack

Islamabad, Aug 13: A Pakistan military court has awarded death sentence to six "hardcore terrorists" involved in a deadly attack on an army-run school in Peshawar, it was announced said on Thursday.

The Pakistani Taliban in December launched an attack on the Army Public School, killing nearly 150 people, mostly students.

According to Xinhua, the army said the military courts tried eight hardcore terrorists involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, suicide bombings, damage to life and property, including the attack on the school.

Six of the suspects in the school attack case were awarded death sentences and one awarded life imprisonment. Pakistan Army chief Gen. Raheel Sharif on Thursday confirmed the death sentence.

The military court also handed down death sentence to one accused of attack on a bus of minority Ismailis in Karachi in May. Over 40 people were killed in the attack near Safoora Chowrangi area of Karachi.

"The convicts were given fair trial by following all the legal formalities and offering/providing them legal aid and defense counsels. Today the sentences of death have been confirmed by the chief of army staff," the army said in a statement.

The convicts have the right to file an appeal before the Court of Appeals, the army said.

IANS