Fifth terrorist, a suicide bomber, killed; all four who entered building neutralised, say security sources
Security forces killed all terrorists who stormed Cadet College Wana, a town in South Waziristan, and safely evacuated all 650 students and teachers after an hours-long operation, security sources confirmed.
According to security sources cited by Express News, the attackers, identified as Afghan terrorists, attempted to infiltrate Cadet College Wana. “The assault was completely foiled through a comprehensive and courageous operation by the security forces,” one source said.
A fifth terrorist, reportedly a suicide bomber, was also killed during the operation. “All four terrorists who entered the building were neutralised in a successful operation,” a security source added. A clearance operation was under way due to the presence of possible explosive devices within the premises, another official noted.
Security sources said no students or teachers were harmed during the assault. “Not a single student or teacher sustained injuries,” the source said, describing the operation as “swift and effective.”
Read more: Suicide blast at Islamabad G‑11 courthouse kills 12, injures dozens
According to the sources, the slain terrorists were of Afghan origin and had been receiving continuous instructions by phone from Afghanistan. The terrorists were hiding in a building located well away from the cadets’ residential quarters.
According to an ISPR statement issued Monday, terrorists attempted to storm the college that morning. The attack began with a suicide explosion at the main entrance, injuring 15 civilians and four security personnel. The injured officials were identified as Naib Subedar Tabish, Lance Havaldar Shakeel, and soldiers Abdullah and Waqas.
Sources confirmed that security forces responded swiftly, engaging the attackers before they could enter the college premises. In the ensuing exchange of fire, two terrorists were killed. A clearance and search operation was then launched in the surrounding area.
A labourer rescued by security forces told The Express Tribune that construction of a mosque was under way inside the college at the time of the attack. He added that the number of terrorists involved could have been more than three.
Students at Cadet College Wana have expressed unwavering resolve following a cowardly terrorist assault on the college, praising the Pakistan Army for providing them with opportunities for education and peace in the region.
One of the students said, “The Pakistan Army established this Cadet College for us so that we could gain education, peace, and progress.”
Condemning the attackers, the student added, “These cowardly terrorists have always wanted the children of Waziristan to remain deprived of education so they can impose their evil ideology.” “They tried once again but failed — and they will always fail,” he said, reflecting the strong spirit among the students in the face of adversity.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said Pakistan had provided evidence to Afghanistan showing how individuals were receiving training there before launching attacks inside Pakistan, Express News reported. He warned that if Kabul failed to curb such elements, Islamabad would have no choice but to take necessary measures.
Speaking to the media in capital, Naqvi said a suicide blast at Islamabad G‑11 occurred at 12:39pm, resulting in the martyrdom of 12 people and injuries to 27 others. He added that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had directed immediate medical assistance for the injured. According to the minister, the suicide bomber had planned to enter the district court premises but, failing to do so, detonated near a police vehicle instead. “Our first priority is to identify the suicide attacker,” he said.
Naqvi further stated that a vehicle-borne suicide attacker had detonated at an entry point in Wana a day earlier, where clearance operations were still underway. He said evidence indicated Afghan involvement in the Wana attack, as communication links were traced to Afghanistan.
“The elements involved in the court attack will also be exposed,” he said, reaffirming that Pakistan would not compromise on its security. “We are aware of what Afghanistan is doing, but those behind the court incident will face consequences,” Naqvi added.
