Security sources have confirmed that all militants involved in the attack on Wana Cadet College have been neutralized. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), on Monday, terrorists in a vehicle loaded with explosives rammed the college’s main gate and entered the institution, after which they were cornered in the administrative block. Security forces continued a clearance operation inside the building on Tuesday to eliminate militants hiding within.
By Wednesday morning, sources reported that five militants, including a suicide bomber, had been killed. Search operations are still ongoing inside the college due to the presence of booby traps. Security officials confirmed that no students or staff were harmed during the operation.
Federal Information Minister Fawad Ataullah Tarrar, speaking to Geo News late Tuesday, described the operation as a “major success” by the Pakistan Army, stating that 550 students were safely evacuated. He added that the incident could have turned into an even larger tragedy than the 2014 Army Public School attack in Peshawar, and praised the skill and composure of the armed forces in protecting the students.
Tarrar called the operation difficult and sensitive, emphasizing that the army once again demonstrated why it is among the world’s best armed forces. He highlighted Pakistan’s victories in past conflicts with India and its continued capability in proxy warfare, stressing that Afghan soil must not be used to plan attacks against Pakistan.
He confirmed that investigations into the Wana attack and the suicide bombing in Islamabad on Tuesday will be carried out, with substantial evidence shared with friendly countries and international forums. He affirmed that Pakistan will expose those involved in terrorism, and security forces are fully prepared to handle all situations.
Meanwhile, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi stated that it is “absolutely clear” that Afghanistan was directly involved in the attack. He said the militants were Afghan nationals who maintained contact with handlers in Afghanistan throughout the night.
Naqvi added that Pakistani leadership had repeatedly visited Afghanistan, providing evidence of how terrorists are trained and planned operations there before crossing into Pakistan. He warned that if Afghanistan fails to act against these terrorists, Pakistan will have no option but to conduct operations against those attacking its territory.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif also stated on Tuesday that in light of recent incidents in Islamabad and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, attacks on terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan are not out of the question.
