APS, Safoora Chowrangi Karachi attackers awarded death sentences: ISPR

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan: The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Raheel Sharif has confirmed the death sentences awarded by the military courts to seven hardcore terrorists involved in the Army Public School (APS) Peshawar and Safoora Chowrangi Karachi attacks.

In a press release issued on Thursday, the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that eight hardcore terrorists involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, suicide bombings, damage to life and property including attacks on the APS Peshawar and Safoora Chowrangi Karachi were tried by the military courts established under the Pakistan Army (Amendment) Act, 2015.

The ISPR said that in view of the nature and gravity of offences preferred against each, seven terrorists have been awarded death sentences whereas one terrorist has been awarded life imprisonment by the military courts.

“The convicts were given fair trial by following all the legal formalities and offering/ providing them legal aid and defence counsels,” the ISPR said.

It said that today the sentences of death have been confirmed by the army chief General Raheel Sharif.

Moreover, the ISPR said that the convicts have the right to file an appeal before the Court of Appeals.

Details of the convicts are as following (provided by the ISPR)

APS attack

1. Civilian Hazrat Ali S/O Awal Baz. The convict was an active member of Toheedwal Jihad Group (TWJ). He was found involved in attacking Law Enforcement Agencies, abetment in kidnapping/ killing of Levies soldiers and collecting funds for attack on Army Public School Peshawar. The APS incident resulted in death of 151 persons including 125 children and injuries to 147 persons. He was also involved in killing of 23 Levies soldiers. He admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 5 charges and awarded death sentence.
2. Civilian Mujeebur Rehman alias Ali alias Najeeb Ullah S/O Ghulab Jan. The convict was an active member of Toheedwal Jihad Group (TWJ). He was found involved in transporting 10 Suicide Bombers for attack on Pakistan Air Force Base Peshawar/ Law Enforcement Agencies and abetment in attack on Army Public School Peshawar, which resulted in death of 151 persons including 125 children, injuries to 147 persons and damage to Govt property. He admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 3 charges and awarded death sentence.
3. Civilian Sabeel alisas Yahya S/O Atta Ullah. The convict was an active member of Toheedwal Jihad Group (TWJ). He was found involved in attack on Pakistan Air Force Base Peshawar / Police Check Post, transportation of 10 Suicide Bombers and abetment in attack on Army Public School Peshawar, which resulted in death of 151 persons including 125 children and injuries to 147 persons. He admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 3 charges and awarded death sentence.
4. Civilian Molvi Abdus Salam S/O Shamshi. The convict was an active member of Toheedwal Jihad Group (TWJ). He was found involved in harbouring Suicide Bombers, later used in attack on Army Public School Peshawar, which resulted in death of 151 persons including125 children, injuries to 147 persons and damage to Govt property. He was also involved in abetting deaths of 2 Colonels and a civilian Director of National Development Complex (NDC). He confessed his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 4 charges and awarded death sentence.

5. Civilian Taj Muhammad alias Rizwan S/O Altaf Khan. The convict was an active member of TTP. He was found involved in attacking Armed Forces and harbouring Suicide Bombers, which were later on used in attack on Army Public School Peshawar, causing death of 151 persons including125 children, injuries to 147 persons and abetting death of a civilian Director of National Development Complex (NDC). He admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 5 charges and awarded death sentence.
6. Civilian Ateequr Rehman alias Usman S/O Ali Rehman. The convict was an active member of Toheedwal Jihad Group (TWJ). He was found involved in attacking a Crime Investigation Department’s Police Station, providing funds for illegal activities, abetting deaths of 2 Colonels and a civilian Director of National Development Complex (NDC) and abetted attack on Army Public School Peshawar, which resulted in death of 151 persons including 125 children and injuries to 147 persons. He admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 6 charges and awarded death sentence.
7. Civilian Kifayat Ullah alias Kaif Qari S/O Ghulam Haider. The convict was an active member of Toheedwal Jihad Group (TWJ). He was found involved in using Improvised Explosive Devices at the residence of 2 Civilians and transporting arms and ammunition. He had also been in league with the accused persons involved in attack on Army Public School Peshawar. He admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 4 charges and awarded imprisonment for life.

Safoora Chowrangi Karachi attack

8. Civilian Muhammad Farhan alias Ali alias Abbas alias Aijaz Qadri. The convict was an active member of Jaish-e-Muhammad. He was found involved in attack on the soldiers of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, at Safoora Chowk, Karachi by an Improvised Explosive Device which resulted in death of 3 soldiers and injuries to 4. He admitted his offences before the Magistrate and the trial court. He was tried on 2 charges and awarded death sentence.

The military courts were established across the country under the 21st constitutional amendment passed by the Parliament in January 2015 for speedy trial of certain offences relating to terrorism were given legal cover.

On August 5, the Supreme Court of Pakistan rejected petitions filed against the 18th and 21st constitutional amendments, and ordered to keep the military courts intact.