Armed forces personnel transport militants in Lower Dir. Photo: File

Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa confirmed on Wednesday the death sentences awarded to four "hardcore" terrorists involved in heinous offences related to terrorism, according to the army's media wing.

The Inter Services Public Relations said in a statement that the suspects are accused of abducting/slaughtering of soldiers and attacking law enforcement agencies and armed forces personnel. 

"On the whole, they were involved in killing of 21 persons and injuring another person. Arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession. These convicts were tried by military courts. They were awarded death sentence," the statement reads.

Army chief approves death sentence for four terrorists

Convicts were involved in attacks on security forces and civilians.

The army shared the following details of the accused: 

1. Shabbir Ahmed, son of Muhammad Shafique. The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation involved in attacking armed forces personnel, which resulted in the death of Major Adnan and 10 soldiers. He was also involved in the kidnapping and slaughtering of four soldiers. 

2. Umara Khan, son of Ahmed Khan. The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation and was involved in attacking armed forces personnel which resulted in the death of three soldiers. He was also involved in the destruction of Government Girls Primary School, Hazara. He was found in possession of firearms and explosives. 

3. Tahir Ali, son of Syed Nabi. The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation and involved in attacking armed forces personnel, which resulted in the death of two soldiers. 

COAS confirms death sentences of 30 hardcore terrorists: ISPR

The ISPR said that the death sentences were given to the terrorists in military courts, and the trial process was expedited during ongoing operation Radd-ul-Fasaad

4. Aftabud Din, son of Farrukh Zada. The convict was a member of a proscribed organisation and involved in attacking law enforcement agency personnel, which resulted in the death of a police official and injuries to another. He was found in possession of firearms and explosives. 

All the convicts admitted their offence before the magistrate and the trial court, after which they were awarded the death sentence, said the army.

Earlier in March, President Mamnoon Hussain signed the 28th Amendment Bill 2017 extending military courts for another two years.

The bill, following the president?s signature, is now an Act of Parliament. Under this Act, the duration of the military courts has been extended for another two years, starting from January 7, 2017.