CADET COLLEGE WANA OPERATION: Security forces have killed all terrorists involved in the attack on Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan and safely evacuated 650 students and teachers after an hours-long counter-terrorism operation, security sources confirmed on Wednesday.
According to initial reports, five Afghan terrorists, including a suicide bomber, attempted to infiltrate the college premises early Monday morning. “The assault was completely foiled through a comprehensive and courageous operation by security forces,” one senior security source said.
During the operation, all four terrorists who entered the building were neutralised, while the fifth — a suicide bomber — was killed before detonating his explosives. A clearance operation continued to eliminate possible explosive devices within the premises.
Security officials said no students or teachers were harmed during the incident. “Not a single student or teacher sustained injuries,” a spokesperson said, describing the operation as “swift, precise, and effective.”
Earlier reports had indicated that around 300 people were trapped inside the college compound. Following the evacuation of all civilians, security forces declared the operation “comprehensive and decisive.”
Attack and Response
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the terrorists had attempted to storm Cadet College Wana early Monday, beginning their assault with a suicide explosion at the main entrance, which injured 15 civilians and four security personnel.
The injured security officials were identified as Naib Subedar Tabish, Lance Havaldar Shakeel, and soldiers Abdullah and Waqas.
Security forces responded immediately, engaging the attackers before they could reach the cadets’ residential area. In the ensuing firefight, two terrorists were killed on the spot, and a large-scale clearance and search operation was launched across the vicinity.
A labourer rescued from the site said that a mosque was under construction within the college premises at the time of the attack, and the number of assailants “appeared to be more than three.”
A report from DHQ Hospital Wana later confirmed that nine civilians — including men, women, and children — sustained injuries as nearby structures collapsed due to the blast. Hospital MS Dr Jan Muhammad said all injured individuals were being provided complete medical treatment and necessary facilities.
Afghan Links Confirmed
Security sources later revealed that the terrorists were of Afghan origin and had been receiving continuous instructions from Afghanistan throughout the operation. “They were hiding in a building located well away from the cadets’ residential quarters,” one official noted.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Tuesday that it was now “clear” Afghanistan was directly involved in the assault.
“The attackers’ communication with handlers in Afghanistan continued the entire night,” Naqvi said, adding that Pakistan’s leadership had repeatedly presented Kabul with evidence of cross-border militant activity.
“The foreign minister, deputy prime minister, defence minister — all of us have visited Afghanistan several times and shared how these terrorists are trained there, how they plan and then come here to carry out attacks,” he said.
Cadets Show Defiance and Resolve
Despite the traumatic event, students at Cadet College Wana expressed unwavering resolve and praised the Pakistan Army for safeguarding their education and future.
One cadet said, “The Pakistan Army established this college so we could gain education, peace, and progress. These cowardly terrorists want the children of Waziristan to remain uneducated, but they will always fail.”
Background
Authorities refer to the attackers as “Fitna al-Khawarij”, a term used by the state for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The operation’s success marks a significant victory against TTP-linked elements attempting to disrupt peace in Pakistan’s tribal districts.
