The faculty and cadets of Cadet College Wana have demonstrated exceptional courage and resolve in the face of terrorism, reaffirming their determination to stand as a “wall of steel” against extremist threats. According to official sources, Field Marshal Asim Munir closely monitored every moment of the counterterrorism operation and directed that the safety of the cadets and teachers—“the nation’s future architects” must remain the top priority. “These young men are our national asset and must be protected at all costs,” he was quoted as saying.
Operation Commander Colonel Muhammad Tahir, who led the mission that neutralized the attackers, said the incident occurred on November 10 when five Afghan militants launched an assault on Cadet College Wana. “The attackers tried to target an institution that represents the Pakistan Army’s precious gift to the people of South Waziristan,” he stated. “One suicide bomber detonated himself near the gate while others attempted to force entry into the premises.”
Colonel Tahir said the militants initially tried to take students hostage, but the swift response by security forces foiled their plan and confined them to a specific block of the campus, ensuring the safety of all cadets. “Our forces stood as a shield between the terrorists and the children for over 24 hours, sacrificing their lives to save them,” he added.
During the intense operation, all four remaining terrorists who managed to infiltrate the college were killed, while all 650 students and faculty members were successfully rescued. The operation concluded between 10:00 and 10:30 p.m., with all attackers sent “to hell,” as confirmed by the commanding officer.
One of the cadets, recalling the terrifying moment of the attack, said, “We were preparing for our drill competition when the explosion occurred. We immediately realized that the enemies of education were behind it. The soldiers of the Pakistan Army acted swiftly and evacuated us to safety.”
Another cadet remarked, “The enemies of knowledge may try anything, but they can never stop us from learning. When the blast happened, our teachers told us to stay calm, assuring us that the Pakistan Army had arrived. By the grace of Almighty Allah and the timely action of our forces, a major tragedy was averted.” The failed assault underscores the unbreakable resolve of Pakistan’s security forces and the nation’s unwavering commitment to protecting education and defeating terrorism in all its forms.
