Pakistan Army chief Raheel Sharif confirms death sentences of 10 hardcore terrorists

Ahead of his retirement, Pakistan Army chief General Raheel Sharif on Tuesday confirmed death sentence handed down to 10 "hardcore terrorists" by military courts for their involvement in killing four commandos and other heinous offences related to terrorism.

The 10 condemned terrorists were given capital punishment by special military courts set-up after the 2014 Peshawar school attack for speedy trial of terrorists.

"Today, Chief of Army Staff confirmed death sentences awarded to another 10 hardcore terrorists who were involved in heinous offences related to terrorism, including killing of innocent civilians," army said in a statement.

The militants had also slaughtered Special Services Group's four commandos who had been captured and mercilessly killed during Swat operation of 2009.

Army said the convicts also planned and executed attacks on Armed Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan which resulted in deaths and injuries to several soldiers.

They were also involved in destruction of educational institutions and communication infrastructure. Fire-arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession.

The military courts were set up in Pakistan to expedite the trial process for terror-related offences following the December 2014 Taliban's massacre at an army-run school in Peshawar in which over 150 people, mostly school children,were killed.

Following the attack, the government had lifted the moratorium on the death penalty and the Parliament passed the 21st amendment which established military courts which was challenged in the Supreme Court.

The apex court ruled in favour of setting up of the courts in August last year. It is not known where the trial was held and when theverdict of conviction announced, as the military courts work in secrecy due to fear of backlash by militants. Raheel will end his three-year term as army chief on November 29.