PM says no mercy for terrorists,COAS vows to avenge killings

Second anniversary of APS tragedy

Army chief also confirms death sentences to 13 terrorists

PESHAWAR: Paying tributes to the sacrifices of students and staff members of the Army Public School (APS), who were martyred in the terrorist attack on December 16, 2014, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday assured the nation that no mercy will be shown to terrorists and the war against terrorism would be taken to its logical conclusion to guarantee a peaceful and stable Pakistan for future generations. 

On the occasion of the second anniversary of gory and brutal attack by the terrorists on APS Peshawar where 144 students and teachers were martyred, the prime minister reminded that the “world has seen that we have dismantled the terrorists' networks and broken their back by rendering matchless sacrifices in this war of our survival.”

Nawaz extended his heartfelt sympathies to the families of the martyred students and all those who became victims of the tragic incident of the APS. "I share the pain and grief with the bereaved families. The entire Pakistani nation feels and shares the pain of the tragedy and stand by the mourning families," said the prime minister.

"16th December reminds us of the most painful tragedy of our lives when our innocent students were mercilessly killed at the place of their studies. It was a day when the heartless enemy committed an act of barbarism and savagery against defenceless schoolboys. We cannot forget the agony of this day," stated the prime minister. 

He said the Pakistani nation and leadership took a clear and categorical decision for indiscriminate action against terrorists after the APS incident. “We decided to act with our full might for elimination of terrorism and extremism from our society; showing no mercy for those who martyred our little angels. I assure the nation that we will take this war to its logical conclusion to guarantee a peaceful and stable Pakistan for our future generations," he said.

Meanwhile, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa, addressing a ceremony to mark the second anniversary of the attack on the APS Peshawar, said that he would continue efforts to eliminate each and every terrorist.

"It was two years ago when the cowardly enemy targeted innocent students and staff of APS on this day. It was a huge blow and can never be forgotten," General Qamar Bajwa said in his brief address to a gathering in the spacious lawns of the APS.

Besides parents of the martyred students, senior military officers and students of the school, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra, Adviser to Chief Minister Mushtaq Ahmad Ghani and Inspector General of Police Nasir Khan Durrani attended the event.

The national anthem was played when the army chief arrived. Accompanied by the outgoing Corps Commander Peshawar Lt Gen Hidayatur Rehman, General Qamar Bajwa laid a floral wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada and prayed for the martyred students and staff members.

Foolproof security measures were put in place for the event. Pakistan Army's helicopter gunships were seen flying over the venue till the conclusion of the event. General Qamar Bajwa pledged his commitment to avenge the killing of the APS students and staff, adding that like his predecessor General (retd) Raheel Sharif, he had put their photos in his office so that he is able to see them every day and remember their sacrifices.

"I am also a father and brother and, therefore, I can better imagine your pain due to the loss of your near and dear ones. This is a very deep wound and hard to forget. But let me assure you that the nation is standing by you. My commitment with you is that we will eliminate each and every terrorist involved in the APS attack," the army chief pledged.

He said by hitting the softest target like the APS, the terrorists tried to demoralise the nation and the armed forces. General Bajwa said the armed forces would chase the terrorists to their last sanctuary and would not rest until their elimination from the country. He said they would never forget the children and thousands of other people who sacrificed their lives in the war against terrorism.

He said Pakistan had suffered huge losses in the fight against terrorism. "We have lost thousands of precious lives in this war. And we are making efforts to bring this war to its logical end and make Pakistan a prosperous and peaceful country," he stressed.

He assured the parents of the students that they would ensure that brothers and sisters of the martyred students got education in prestigious educational institutions of the country. Later, General Qamar Bajwa joined the families of the Shuhada and schoolchildren and spent some time with them.

Meanwhile, the COAS confirmed death sentences awarded to another 13 hardcore terrorists, who were involved in heinous offences related to terrorism, including killings and slaughtering of innocent civilians, officials of law enforcement agencies and the armed forces of Pakistan.

According to the ISPR, these terrorists also include those who planned and executed attacks on the Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, Parade Lane Mosque, Rawalpindi, Marriott Hotel, Islamabad, office of World Vision NGO in Mansehra and an educational institution at Nawagai, Buner.

On the whole, these terrorists were involved in killing 325 persons and in causing injuries to 366 others. Firearms and explosives were also recovered from their possession. These convicts were tried by military courts.

Detail of each case is as follows.

1. Latifullah Mehsud, s/o Ramazan: The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation. He was involved in killing of innocent civilians and attacking law enforcement agencies, which resulted in the death of 150 civilians (members and attendees of local Jirga) and seven soldiers of Frontier Constabulary. The convict admitted his offences before the magistrate and the trial court. He was awarded death sentence.

2. Arafat s/o Gul Zarin: The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation. He was involved in attacking the Marriott Hotel, Islamabad, and Parade Lane Mosque, Rawalpindi, which resulted in the death of 110 persons and injuries to 330 others. The convict admitted his offences before the magistrate and the trial court. He was awarded death sentence.

3. Wahid Ali s/o Abdul Ali, Akbar Ali s/o Kareemullah, Muhammad Riaz s/o Muhammad Diyar Khan and Noorullah s/o Muhammad Diyar Khan: These four convicts were members of a proscribed organisation. They were involved in attacking the Bacha Khan University, Charsadda, which resulted in the death of 17 civilians and injuries to 19 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 sentences.

4. Abdul Rehman s/o Abdul Majeed: The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation. He was involved in attacking the armed forces and law enforcement agencies. He was also involved in slaughtering Capt Najam Riaz Raja, Capt Juniad Khan, Naik Shahid Rasool, Lance Naik Shakeel Ahmed and in injuring two police officials. He was involved in destruction of an educational institution as well. The convict admitted his offences before the magistrate and the trial court. He was awarded death sentence.

5. Mian Said Raheem s/o Mian Aqal Jan: The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation. He was involved in killing of 15 civilians including members of a local Jirga and civilian Imran who was slaughtered by another terrorist with his assistance. He was also found in possession of firearms. The convict admitted his offences and was awarded death sentence.

6. Noor Muhammad s/o Shah Wali: The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation. He was involved in attacking the armed forces and law enforcement agencies, which resulted in the death of Naik Nadeem Yousaf and injuries to seven soldiers of the Frontier Constabulary. He was also involved in abduction of civilian Dr Syed Jamshed Haider for ransom. The convict admitted his offences and was awarded death sentence.

7. Sher Ali s/o Mambar: The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation. He was involved in attacking the armed forces and law enforcement agencies, which resulted in the death of Naib Subedar Abdul Khaliq, Naik Qaiser Khan, Sepoy Mohsin Khan, Sepoy Imran Khan, Sepoy Sarfraz Ahmed, Sepoy Muhammad Ali, Sepoy Sajid Khan and injuries to five soldiers. The convict also abetted other terrorists in killing of civilians Muhammad Afzal Khan, Shah Dawran and Amanullah. He was also found in possession of firearms. The convict admitted his offences and was awarded death sentence.

8) Syed Qasim Shah s/o Syed Amin Shah: The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation. He was involved in attacking the office of World Vision NGO, which resulted in the death of six employees of the said NGO. He was also found in possession of explosives. The convict admitted his offences and was awarded death sentence.

9. Muhammad Usman s/o Khair Ali Khan: The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation. He was involved in killing of civilians Abdul Rehman, Jamshed, Naheed Bibi and Nasreen Bibi. He was also found in possession of fire arms and explosives. The convict admitted his offences. He was awarded death sentence.

10. Muhammad Waqar Faisal s/o Ghulam Sadiq: The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation. He was involved in killing of police constable Asad Abbas and injuring a police constable and two civilians. The convict admitted his offences and was awarded death sentence.