Pakistan Army chief Raheel Sharif confirms death sentence of 10 terrorists

Islamabad: Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Thursday confirmed death sentence handed down to 10 terrorists by military courts for their involvement in killing civilians, polio workers and armed forces personnel. The 10 condemned terrorists, belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) rebel outfit, were convicted by speedy trial in military courts. [caption id=“attachment_3050196” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of General Raheel Sharif. Reuters[/caption] “These terrorists were involved in heinous offences related to terrorism, including killing of innocent civilians, polio workers, NGO employees, police officials and armed forces personnel,” army said. Fire-arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession. The military courts were set up in Pakistan to expedite the trial process for terror-related offences following the December 2014 Talibans massacre at an army-run school in Peshawar in which over 150 people, mostly school children, were killed. Following the 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 in August last year. It is not known where the trial was held and when the verdict of conviction announced, as the military courts work in secrecy due to fear of backlash by militants.