Army chief confirms death sentences for 5 more convicted by military courts

ISPR says convicts involved in Quetta sectarian killings, attacks on polio teams in Khyber Agency, among others

RAWALPINDI: Army chief General Raheel Sharif confirmed on Wednesday death sentences for five militants who were convicted by military courts.

According to the military's media wing, Inter Services Public Relations, the convicts were involved in the killing of an advocate in Lahore, sectarian killings in Quetta, targeting a police officer in Karachi, as well as attacks on polio teams in Khyber Agency, among other incidents.

Mil Court Progress:#COAS confirms death sentence of another 5 hard core terrorists involved in killings;Lhr advocate,Qta sectarian killing-1

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 2, 2015

..police offr at Gadab Kci,breaking Bxu Jail,attk girls school&polio team in Khyber.6th terrorist awarded life imprisonment.Details follow-2

— Gen(R) Asim Saleem Bajwa (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 2, 2015

Earlier in August, General Raheel had confirmed death sentences of seven terrorists involved in attacks on the Army Public School in Peshawar.

Read: Army chief confirms death sentences for 6 terrorists involved in Peshawar school attack

On December 16, 2014, the Taliban launched a heinous attack on an Army Public School in Peshawar, killing over 150 people, mostly students.

Following the attack, the government lifted the moratorium on death penalties in the country and formed a National Action Plan, which went on to establish military courts to try terrorists.

Details of convicts

Muhammad Sabir Shah alias IkramUllah was an active member of proscribed organisation, and was found involved in abetting murder of Advocate Syed Arshad Ali in Lahore. He admitted his offence before the magistrate and trial court. He was tried on a single charge and awarded death sentence.

Hafiz Muhammad Usman alias Abbas alias Asad was also an active member of a proscribed organisation, and was involved in sectarian killings in Quetta, as well as an attack on police. Four police officials, including DSP Hassan Ali, Constables Nasrullah, Sifatullah and Muhammad Taqi were killed. He also abetted in murder of Hassan Ali Yousafi, Advocate WaliatHussain and others civilians. Usman admitted his offence before the magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on eleven charges and awarded death sentence.

Read: 132 children killed in Peshawar school attack

Asad Ali alias Bhai Jan, an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and was  involved in possessing of fire arms/, explosives and attacking officials of the Sindh Police, in Quaidabad area of Karachi, which resulted in death of three individuals including DSP Kamal Mangon and ASI Akbar Hussain and injuries to nine individuals including three head constables. He admitted his offences before the magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on five charges and awarded death sentence.

Similarly, Tahir was an active member of TTP, and was involved in attacking, breaking of Bannu Jail. He also played a role in attacks on LEAs. He admitted his offence before the magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on three charges and awarded death sentence.

Fateh Khan was an active member of a proscribed organisation, and was found involved in slaughtering of a civilian, attacking polio workers team, individuals LEAs, and armed force personnel, which resulted in death of a child, 11 Khasadars, two army officers, 22 soldiers and injuries to many others. Khan admitted his offences before the magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on eight charges and awarded death sentence.

Qari Ameen Shah alias Ameen, an active member of the TTP was found involved in attacking a Girls Primary School in Khyber Agency. He provided funds for terrorist activities, exploding an IED and possessing explosives. Shah admitted his offences before the magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on four charges and awarded the sentence of imprisonment for life.