Operation underway after three martyred in Cadet College Wana attack: Naqvi

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On Tuesday, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said at least three people were martyred in a terrorist attack on Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan, adding that security forces are continuing an operation against the attackers.

“The terrorists tried to take people hostage inside the cadet college but they did not succeed,” he said, adding that the attackers were in touch with their handlers in Afghanistan.

Peace talks between the Afghan Taliban government and Pakistan have broken down, although a ceasefire between the two neighbors remains in place.

Last Friday, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif said talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan had been suspended, with “no program for a fourth round of talks”.

Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, in a statement today, urged Kabul to rein in militant groups, including the Tehreek-e-Talaban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghan soil, and framed it as a condition for lasting peace in the region.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference on Tuesday, he said a stable Afghanistan is essential for connectivity, growth and prosperity.

“Afghanistan has to understand that lasting peace can only be realized by cracking down on the TTP and other terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory,” he said.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said yesterday that Indian-backed terrorists attacked the Cadet College, Vana, with security forces killing two attackers and trapping three inside.

Meanwhile, the security forces said in a statement today that an operation is underway against the terrorists, belonging to an Indian proxy, who had taken shelter inside the Wana Cadet College.

They said the terrorists targeted the college with a vehicle-borne explosive device, which hit the main gate and damaged nearby buildings. Two militants were killed during the immediate response of the security forces.

“The militants were receiving instructions from Afghanistan and are hiding in a building away from the cadet residences,” security sources said.

Around 650 people, including 525 cadets, were inside the college at the time of the attack, sources said.

So far, security forces have rescued 115 people safely. Sources said the remaining cadets are being phased out, with around 535 inside.

“The security forces have assured the parents that all the students are safe and the operation will be completed soon,” the source added.

Yesterday, the army’s media wing noted that an Indian proxy, Khaurej, hailing from Fitna-ul-Khawarij, had launched a “heinous and cowardly act of terrorism” and had attempted to breach frame security.

However, their nefarious designs were quickly thwarted by a “vigilant and determined response” by their troops and in their “desperation”, the attackers detonated an explosives-laden vehicle at the main gate, resulting in its collapse and damage to adjacent infrastructure”.

Demonstrating unflinching courage and professional excellence, the security personnel engaged the intruders with precision, eliminating the two terrorists.

However, the army’s media wing said that three terrorists managed to enter the college premises, who are roaming around the administrative block of the college.

ISPR said that Khaurej has once again tried to repeat the brutal act of terrorism committed by him in 2014 at Army Public School, Peshawar.

It aims to instill fear among the young generation of ex-tribal areas who are getting quality education at their doorstep to excel in life and have a better future not only for themselves and their families but also for their communities.

“This blatant act of brutalization by Khuraj from Afghanistan is contrary to the Afghan Taliban government’s claim of the absence of these terrorist groups on their soil,” the army said.