Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Raheel Sharif on Friday stated that 2016 will be a year of national unity and peace. The Army Chief said this during meeting with Baloch elders in Gwadar. General Raheel Sharif expressed hope that nexus of terrorism, crime and corruption would be completely eliminated in current year. "By God willing, more progress will be achieved in 2016 with support of the nation," he added. According to ISPR, General Raheel assured the residents of Pakistan Army's full support on security and development of Gwadar Port's potential.
Earlier, Chief of Army Staff confirmed death sentences awarded to another nine hardcore terrorists, who were involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, including attack on Parade Lane Mosque, Inter Services Intelligence Headquarters, Multan, attacks on Law Enforcement Agencies, kidnapping and killing civilians in Lahore. These convicts were tried by military courts.
The militants who have been sentenced to death are Muhammad Ghauri, Abdul Qayyum, Muhammad Imran, Aqsan Mehmood, Abdul Rauf Gujjar, Muhammad Hashim, Salman, Shafqat Farooqi and Muhammad Farhan. Muhammad Ghauri was an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and incharge media cell of TTP. He was involved in attack on Parade Lane Mosque, Rawalpindi, which resulted in death of 38 persons and injuries to 57 persons. Abdul Qayyum was an active member of Harkat ul Jehad-e-Islam, Punjab. He was involved in attack on Inter Services Intelligence Headquarters, Multan, which resulted in death of seven individuals and injuries to 72 individuals.
Muhammad Imran was an active member of TTP, who was involved in terrorist acts and attacking Law Enforcement Agencies which caused death / injuries to civilians and soldiers. Aqsan Mehmood was an active member of al Qaida. He was involved in attacking the Law Enforcement Agencies by using fire-arms which resulted in death / injuries to soldiers. Adbul Rauf Gujjar, Muhammad Hashim, Sulaman, Shafqat Farooqi and Muhammad Farhan were active member of Sipah-e-Sahaba. They were involved in killing of civilians at Lahore. Abdul Rauf Gujjar was punished for target killing of four civilians namely as well as causing injuries at Lahore. Remaining four convicts were involved in murder of Ghulam Mustafa and injury to Anwar Hussain.