Pakistani army chief signs black warrants for school attack convicts

Pakistani army chief General Raheel Sharif on Monday signed black warrants of four hardcore terrorists involved in the Taliban attack that killed nearly 150 students and staff members in December last year.

The black warrants mean there is no legal impediment left in implementation of death sentence of the four convicts.

The warrants were issued 10 days after President Mamnoon Hussain rejected a mercy petition of the four militants.

"Chief of Army staff today signed black warrants of four hardcore terrorists involved in APS Peshawar massacre," an army statement said.

Those who will be hanged include Maulvi Abdus Salam, Hazrat Ali, Mujeeb ur Rehman and Sabeel alias Yaya.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had advised the president to reject the petitions of all four convicted terrorists.

The outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan had quickly claimed responsibility for the brutal attack where a group of suicide bombers entered the Army Public School (APS) and opened indiscriminate fire at the students, teachers and staff members last December.

The military courts, established after the school attack for speedy trail, have awarded death sentences to the four militants for their role in the attack.

Immediately after the tragedy, the state, parliament, all political parties and every single state institution unanimously decided to bring the perpetrators of this crime to justice even if amendments in the laws are required.

It would be the first executions since the military courts were established earlier this year. Endit