Pakistan Army chief sentences 11 'terrorists' to death

Pakistan's Army Chief General Raheel Sharif confirmed the death sentence on Tuesday to 11 "hardcore terrorists" who were handed the capital punishment by military courts for committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, the military said.

 

It was the second time in less than two months that the army chief has confirmed death penalty of terrorists. On March 15, Sharif approved the death sentence to 13 "hardcore terrorists".

 

"Today, Chief of Army Staff confirmed death sentences awarded to another 11 hardcore terrorists, who were involved in committing heinous offences related to terrorism including killing and kidnapping civilians, attacks on Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies, destruction of schools and communication infrastructure," an army statement said.

 

These convicts were tried by military courts, a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations said.

 

All were leaders and members of the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and were arrested from different areas.

 

All the convicts admitted their offences before the magistrates and the trial courts, according to the statement.

 

The army courts were set up after the terrorist attack on an army school in December 2014 for the speedy trial of the terrorism-related accused.  - IANS