New Year resolve: Terrorism will be eliminated in 2016, vows Gen Raheel

Army chief visits Gwadar; approves execution of 9 militants

ISLAMABAD/ GWADAR:

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif on Friday said that the nexus of terrorism, crime and corruption in the country will be completely eliminated this year.

The army chief said this during a meeting with Baloch elders on a visit to Gwadar.

“Inshallah, we will be able to break the web of curses like terrorism, crime and corruption with the support and backing of the entire nation,” he said, adding the year 2016 would be a year of national unity and peace.

During his interaction with residents, Gen Raheel assured them of full support on security and development of the Gwadar port. He added the armed forces will not hesitate in rendering any sacrifice for country’s peace.

The COAS was in Gwadar after visiting Talar and Turbat, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

Nine militants to be executed

Earlier in the day, Gen Raheel Sharif confirmed the death sentences of nine militants convicted by military courts for different terrorist attacks.



According to the military’s media wing, the ISPR, the convicts were involved in the attack on Parade Lane Mosque, the bombing of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) headquarters in Multan, attack on law enforcement personnel, and kidnapping and killing of civilians in Lahore.

The ISPR also shared brief profiles of the terrorists set for execution.

The first convict, Muhammad Ghauri, was said to be an active member of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan who headed the media cell of the terrorist outfit. He was involved in the attack on Parade Lane Mosque in Rawalpindi which left 38 people dead and another 57 injured.

Ghauri, who was tried on four charges, admitted to his involvement in the attack before the magistrate and the trial court.

Abdul Qayyum was an active member of the Harkatul Jehad-e-Islam in Punjab. He was involved in the attack on the ISI headquarters in Multan that killed seven people and left another 72 injured.

He also admitted to his offences before the magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on seven charges.

Muhammad Imran, also an active member of the TTP, was found to be involved in different terrorist attacks against law enforcement agencies. He was tried on four charges and awarded the death sentence.

Aksan Mehboob, an active member of al Qaida, was convicted for his involvement in attacks on security forces that resulted in death and injuries to soldiers. He also confessed to his offences before the trial court, which tried him on four different charges.

The army chief also confirmed the death sentence to five convicts involved in the killings of Shia community members in Lahore. The convicts were named Abdul Rauf Gujjar, Muhammad Hashim, Suleman Buner, Shafqat Farooqi and Muhammad Farhan.

These terrorists were active members of the banned sectarian outfit, Sipah-e-Sahaba.

Abdul Rauf was sentenced to death for the murder of four people while the others were involved in the killing of another Shia man and injuring one more.

The convicts admitted to their crimes before the magistrate and were all awarded death sentences.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 2^nd, 2016.