After rescuing students and staff, forces to conclude operation to clear terrorists in building, say security sources
\n rawalpindi
\nSecurity forces have successfully rescued all students and teachers from Cadet College Wana under attack by a group of terrorists as the clearance operation entered the conclusive phase on Tuesday, security sources said. According to security sources, the operation will now be carried out comprehensively to its logical conclusion.
\nThe cautious approach was necessary due to the presence of Afghan Khawarij inside the college and the paramount need to ensure the safety of the cadets\u2019 lives, said the sources.
\n\u201cOperation will continue until the last terrorist is eliminated,\u201d the security source added. Separately, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi confirmed that at least three people were martyred during the ongoing operation.
\n\u201cTerrorists tried to take people hostage inside the cadet college but did not succeed,\u201d he said, adding that attackers were in contact with their handlers in Afghanistan.
\nThe peace talks between the Afghan Taliban regime and Pakistan broke down, although a ceasefire continues between the two neighbours.
\nOn last Friday, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said negotiations between Pakistan and Afghanistan had been suspended, with \u201cno programme for the fourth round of talks\u201d.
\nPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in a statement today, urged Kabul to rein in militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghan soil, framing it as the prerequisite for durable peace in the region.
\nSpeaking at the inaugural ceremony of the Parliamentary Speakers\u2019 Conference on Tuesday, he said a stable Afghanistan is essential for connectivity, growth and prosperity.
\n\u201cAfghanistan must realise that lasting peace can only be realised by reining in TTP and other terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory,\u201d he said. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) had said yesterday that Indian-backed terrorists attacked Cadet College Wana, with security forces eliminating two attackers and trapping three inside.
\nMeanwhile, security forces in a statement earlier today said that an operation was underway against terrorists, belonging to an Indian proxy, Fitna al-Khwarij, who took shelter inside Wana Cadet College.
\nThey said that the terrorists had targeted the college with a vehicle-borne explosive device, which struck the main gate and damaged nearby buildings. Two militants were killed during an immediate response by the security forces.
\n\u201cThe militants were receiving instructions from Afghanistan and are hiding in a building located far from cadet residences,\u201d said security sources.
\nThe sources said that at the time of the attack, approximately 650 individuals, including 525 cadets, were inside the college. So far, security forces have safely rescued 115 people. The remaining cadets are being gradually evacuated, with around 535 still inside, sources said. \u201cSecurity forces have assured parents that all students are safe and the operation will be completed soon,\u201d sources added. The military\u2019s media wing in the statement yesterday noted that the Khwarij, belonging to an Indian proxy, Fitna al-Khwarij, launched a \u201cheinous and cowardly terrorist act\u201d and attempted to breach the perimeter security.
\nHowever, their nefarious designs were swiftly foiled by the vigilant and resolute response \u201cby own troops\u201d and in their \u201cdesperation, the attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle on the main gate, resulting in its collapse and damage to adjacent infrastructure\u201d.
\nDisplaying unwavering courage and professional excellence, security personnel engaged the intruders with precision, eliminating two terrorists.
\nHowever, three terrorists managed to enter the college premises, who have been cornered in the college\u2019s administrative block, the military\u2019s media wing said.
\nThe ISPR said that the khwarij have once again tried to repeat the barbaric act of terrorism carried out by them in Army Public School, Peshawar, in 2014.
\nAimed at instilling fear amongst the young generation of erstwhile tribal areas who are acquiring quality education at their doorstep to excel in life and achieve a better future for not only themselves and their families but also for their communities.
\n\u201cThis blatant act of barbarism orchestrated by Khwarij from Afghanistan is in contrast to assertions made by the Afghan Taliban regime claiming non-presence of these terrorist groups on their soil. Pakistan reserves the right to respond against terrorists and their leadership present in Afghanistan,\u201d the military said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After rescuing students and staff, forces to conclude operation to clear terrorists in building, say security sources rawalpindi Security forces have successfully rescued all students and teachers from Cadet College Wana under attack by a group of terrorists as the clearance operation entered the conclusive phase on Tuesday, security sources said. According to security sources, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":513972,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-513952","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-top-news"},"yoast_head":"\n