Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Tuesday confirmed that at least three people were martyred during the ongoing security operation at Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan, where terrorists attempted to take hostages but failed due to the swift response of Pakistani forces. He said the attackers were in contact with their handlers based in Afghanistan, underscoring the cross-border nature of the threat.
The attack comes amid heightened tensions between Islamabad and Kabul following the breakdown of peace talks. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif recently stated that negotiations with the Afghan Taliban regime had been suspended, with “no programme for the fourth round of talks.” Despite a fragile ceasefire between the two neighbours, militant activity along the border has intensified.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference on Tuesday, urged Kabul to take concrete action against terrorist groups, including the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operating from Afghan soil. He emphasised that regional stability depends on Afghanistan’s willingness to rein in such outfits, calling it essential for lasting peace, connectivity, and prosperity.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the assault on Wana Cadet College was carried out by terrorists linked to the Indian proxy network known as Fitna al-Khwarij. Security forces responded immediately, eliminating two attackers and cornering three others inside the administrative block. The militants had initially rammed a vehicle-borne explosive device into the college’s main gate, causing significant damage to nearby buildings.
Security sources said the terrorists were receiving instructions from Afghanistan and were hiding in a building distant from cadet residences. At the time of the attack, around 650 people, including 525 cadets, were inside the premises. So far, 115 individuals have been safely evacuated, while the remaining are being rescued in phases. Officials assured parents that all cadets are safe and the operation will conclude soon.
The military’s media wing described the incident as a “heinous and cowardly terrorist act” intended to replicate the barbarity of the 2014 Army Public School tragedy. It added that this blatant act of terrorism by Khwarij from Afghanistan exposes the duplicity of the Afghan Taliban regime’s claims that no such groups operate on their soil.
Pakistan’s armed forces have vowed that the nation reserves the right to respond against terrorists and their leadership sheltering in Afghanistan. Displaying exceptional professionalism and resolve, Pakistani troops continue the operation to neutralize all remaining threats and ensure the complete safety of the students and staff of Cadet College Wana.
