Pakistan military courts award death sentence militants in school attack

Military courts in Pakistan have awarded death sentence to six "hardcore terrorists" involved in a deadly attack on an army-run school in December, the army said Thursday.

The Pakistani Taliban attack on the Army Public School had killed nearly 150 people, mostly students.

The army said the military courts tried eight hardcore terrorists involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, suicide bombings, damage to life and property, including attacks on Army Public School Peshawar and Safoora Chowrangi Karachi.

Six of the suspects in the school attack case were awarded death sentences and one awarded life imprisonment. Pakistan Army Chief, Gen. Raheel Sharif, Thursday confirmed the death sentence.

The military court also handed down death sentence to one accused of attack on a bus of minority Ismailis in Karachi in May. Over 40 people were killed in the attack near Safoora Chowrangi area of Karachi.

"The convicts were given fair trial by following all the legal formalities and offering/ providing them legal aid and defense counsels. Today the sentences of death have been confirmed by the Chief of Army Staff," said the army in a statement.

The convicts have the right to file an appeal before the Court of Appeals, the army said. Endi