Pakistani army chief signs death sentences for 30 militants

[Windjammer]

Pakistani army chief signs death sentences for 30 militants
By Associated Press | Published: 19th April 2017 06:45 PM |

Last Updated: 19th April 2017 06:45 PM | A+A A- |

A file photo of Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa | AP

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's army chief has signed off on the death sentences for 30 militants, including some convicted for the 2014 Taliban attack on a school in Peshawar that killed 144 school children.

The militants were tried in military courts set up by authorities after the school attack. In cases of capital punishment handed down by military courts, in trials conducted behind closed doors, the army chief is required to confirm the sentences.

Opposition parties and rights groups have criticized Pakistan for the trials by military courts. After the Peshawar assault, the government also lifted the ban on the death penalty.

An official statement says the army chief, Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa, signed the death sentences on Wednesday.

The Peshawar attack killed a total of 150 people, most of them schoolchildren.

 

[YeBeWarned]

30 less dharti ke boojh ... Good work COAS

 

[Mrc]

U roll baby

 

[AZADPAKISTAN2009]

Great decision no doubt , food can be used else where

 

[Fledgingwings]

I would have loved it if the number was 3000.but still love it.

 

[RealNapster]

I would have loved it if the number was 3000.

Be realistic.

 

[Menace2Society]

Pakistan Army has become relentless.

No negotiating with terrorists, not even letting them settle. Just pursuing till they are caught or dead.

 

[Fledgingwings]

Be realistic.

You,re right ! I just want Army to be more and more ruthless with these Lunatics in confronting them.

 

[GlobalVillageSpace]

Death Penalties for more terrorists in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism
Global Village Space |

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa endorsed the execution of 30 hardcore terrorists on Wednesday.

The news was given out by the following press release of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR):

“COAS signed execution orders (Black Warrants) of another 30 hardcore terrorists who were awarded death sentence by Military Courts. The process expedited during Operation Radd-ul-Fasaad. These terrorists were involved in committing heinous offenses relating to terrorism including the attack on APS Peshawar, kidnapping and slaughtering soldiers of Frontier Constabulary, attack on Saidu Sharif airport, and killing of innocent civilians, attacking Armed Forces of Pakistan and Law Enforcement Agencies”.

Read more: Are military operations the only way to counter terrorism in Pakistan?

“Radd Ul Fasad is a commitment by the whole nation of ridding the country of terror”.
– DG ISPR

The confirmation comes on the heels of recent statements and actions against terrorism. In a media briefing on Tuesday, Director General ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor categorically spelled out the commitment to continue Operation Radd Ul Fasad till the elimination of terrorists.

He further went on to give details of the operation and stated that it was divided into kinetic and non-kinetic actions.

Executions after following due processes have been part of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts.

Read more: Kulbhushan’s death sentence: a “Circuit Breaker” or “Grand Bargain”?

Death penalties: A deterrent

After the gruesome attack in APS Peshawar in December 2014, the moratorium on executions was lifted. Proponents argued that such measures were important in the prevailing crucial circumstances. The purpose of reinstituting death penalty was to not only make an example out of “jet black” terrorists who were involved in killing innocent Pakistani citizens but also to deter prospective killers. Restoring execution was part of a surge against terrorism after the attack on APS Peshawar, which included a set of other policy actions.

Read full article:
Death Penalties for more terrorists in Pakistan’s fight against terrorism

 

[Sheikh Rauf]

Good move.

 

[POPEYE-Sailor]

No mercy only death sentence

 

[haviZsultan]

The terrorists need to be hunted down. Today there was a raid and 8 terrorists out of 12 were killed, 4 escaped. I think its imperative that the police and CTD officials learn to block each and every exit route for the militants so that militants cannot escape during the operation and are killed in the fight.

Its basic military strategy when fighting these kinds of enemies that should be shared with the other departments. Not even one terrorist plotter should be allowed to escape punishment and these 4 have lived to fight another day which is unfortunate. Jailing does not work. The militant Ataullah who was involved in Malala attack was arrested once and released. Then he attacked Malala. Almost every militant has a story of innocence when he is arrested. So strange that these ideologically conservative mullahs are not brave enough to admit that they have been fighting our army, and killing civilians.

As far as executions are concerned. They send a powerful message that Pakistan is not screwing around and if the TTP/JA/LeJ do not mend their ways they will be hunted down like dogs. Custodial and false encounter killings are a part of this strategy as anything outside of the military courts have set the militants free. In fact there was an old US report saying the judicial systems lets 3/4 terrorists escape.

 

[Saif-ud-Din Qutuz]

Signing isn't enough COAS. Make sure they meet their fate.

 

[litman]

it is a futile effort to keep on killing the low ranking terrorists while the real snakes are ruling the country and sitting in the parliament.

 

[Solomon2]

Why are you guys praising orders for execution issued by a secret court?
How do you know if the rights of the accused haven't been violated?
How do you know somebody isn't abusing their power for gain?
Do you not understand that a base of secret, unaccountable power is how a tyranny can be forged?