Soldiers stand guard as parents arrive with their children at the Army Public School in Peshawar on January 12, 2015. PHOTO: AFP
RAWALPINDI:
Security forces foiled a major terror attempt to replicate the 2014 Army Public School (APS) tragedy, foiling an armed assault by terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Fitna al Khwarij at Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan, the army said on Monday.
According to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), “On November 10, 2025, in a heinous and cowardly terrorist act, Khwarij, belonging to Indian representative Fitna al Khwarij, attacked Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan district.”
The ISPR said the attackers attempted to breach the university’s security perimeter, but “their nefarious plans were quickly thwarted by the vigilant and determined response of their own troops.” Desperate, the terrorists rammed a vehicle loaded with explosives into the main gate, causing it to collapse and damaging nearby infrastructure.
“Displaying unflinching courage and professional excellence, their own troops engaged the intruders with precision, eliminating two Khwarij… However, three Khwarij managed to enter the university premises which were cornered in the administrative block of the university,” the ISPR added.
The statement said the attackers had once again attempted to repeat “the barbaric act of terrorism carried out by them at the Army Public School, Peshawar in 2014”, with the aim of instilling fear among students in the tribal districts seeking education for a better future.
The ISPR further said that “the Khwarij hiding inside the university premises are in touch with their teachers and handlers in Afghanistan and are receiving instructions. This blatant act of barbarism orchestrated by Khwarij from Afghanistan is in contrast to the claims made by the Afghan Taliban regime that there is no presence of these terrorist groups in their territory.”
He warned that Pakistan reserved the right to respond against terrorists and their leaders present in Afghanistan. “Clearance operations are being carried out to remove the remains of Indian-sponsored kharjis,” he said.
“We will continue the relentless campaign against terrorism under the ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’ vision (approved by the Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by the Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan and continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the statement concluded.
Separately, ISPR said security forces killed 20 Khwarij terrorists in two operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “In view of the reported presence of Khwarij, Security Forces carried out an intelligence-based operation in the general area of Shawal, North Waziristan District. During the operation, the troops themselves effectively attacked the location of Khwarij, eight Indian-sponsored Khwarij were sent to hell,” the statement said.
“Another intelligence-based operation was carried out in Dara Adam Khel district and after an intense exchange of fire, 12 more Khwarij were effectively neutralized,” he added, confirming that disinfection operations were being carried out to clear the area.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the armed forces for their successful operations in Shawal and Darra Adam Khel. The president praised the troops’ “courage and professionalism” and said the operations reflected the nation’s unity and determination.
President Zardari reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to eradicating terrorism through “complete national consensus”. Prime Minister Shehbaz also paid tribute to the forces for killing 20 terrorists and said, “Protection of Pakistan is our top priority and we remain determined to eliminate all forms of terrorism.”
Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a separate statement, saluted the security personnel for their bravery and said, “The timely actions of our forces have foiled the nefarious designs of terrorists in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa… I salute our security forces for sending 20 terrorists to hell.”
He added that Pakistani forces were achieving “significant successes in the fight against terrorism” and remained determined to maintain peace throughout the region.
(WITH INPUT FROM THE APP)
