ISLAMABAD: In a brazen assault on the Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan, a group of militants belonging to the Indian-backed group Fitna al Khwarij attempted to breach the college perimeter on Monday, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
According to the ISPR, attackers rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the college’s main gate, causing the gate to collapse and damaging adjacent infrastructure.
Troops deployed at the site responded swiftly and decisively, engaging the assailants. Two militants were killed during the initial exchange of fire, the military said, while three others managed to enter the college and are reported to be holed up in the administrative block and are currently cornered.
The ISPR said that the militants inside the premises remain in contact with handlers in Afghanistan and are receiving instructions. The statement accused the Afghan Taliban regime of contradicting its own public assertions by allowing such groups to operate from Afghan soil. “Pakistan reserves the right to respond against terrorists and their leadership present in Afghanistan,” the military warned.
Clearance operations are in progress as security forces are there to eliminate the remaining attackers. The ISPR reaffirmed that the Counter-Terrorism campaign under the national vision “Azm-e-Istehkam”, as approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue at full pace to eradicate foreign-sponsored terrorism.
The military statement drew a parallel between Monday’s attack and the 2014 Army Public School Peshawar massacre, saying the militants sought to terrorise a new generation of students in erstwhile tribal areas who are pursuing education. The ISPR characterised the assault as a “heinous and cowardly” act aimed at undermining efforts to bring quality education and development to the region.
Details of civilian or student casualties, injuries, and the exact status of the hostages (if any) were not disclosed in the ISPR release. Authorities have not yet released information on any arrests, nor provided an official tally of damage after the collapse of the gate and the adjacent infrastructure.
Security and law enforcement agencies have sealed off the area and deployed additional forces. The local administration and emergency services are reported to be on alert and assisting where required.
This development came amid sustained operations being carried out by Pakistani security forces against militant groups across the northwest.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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