Pakistan army chief confirms death sentences for 13 militants

Pakistan's army chief Gen Raheel Sharif on Tuesday confirmed the death sentences handed down to 13 hardcore terrorists by military courts for terror-related offences, including killing of foreign tourists and an attack on an airport.

The 13 condemned terrorists were involved in committing heinous offences relating to terrorism, including killing of foreign tourists at Nanga Parbat, attack on Saidu Sharif Airport, destruction of schools, attacks on armed forces, law enforcement agencies and civilians, the army said in a statement.

The convicts described as "hardcore terrorists" by the the army were sentenced to death by military courts. The condemned terrorists included Irfan Ullah, an active member of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan who was involved in killing of 10 foreign tourists near Nanga Parbat Base Camp.

Another terrorist was Mushtaq Ahmed, who was involved in attacking Saidu Sharif Airport, killing employees of Meteorological Department and destruction of an educational institution which resulted in death of civilians and injuries to soldiers.

The military courts were set up in Pakistan to expedite the trial process for terror-related offences following the December 2014 Talibans massacre at an army-run school in Peshawar in which over 150 people, mostly school children, were killed.

Following the attack, the government had lifted the moratorium on the death penalty and the Parliament passed the 21st amendment which established military courts which was challenged in the Supreme Court. The apex court ruled in favour of setting up of the courts in August last year.