Afghan terrorists, guided by their handlers across the border, infiltrated Cadet College Wana, sparking a tense security operation to protect students and staff
By our correspondent
WANA: Security forces in South Waziristan successfully completed the operation inside Cadet College Wana on Tuesday, neutralized five terrorists, including one suicide bomber, who had infiltrated the campus, officials confirmed. The assault came days after the militants launched a brazen attack on the institution, underscoring the ongoing threats faced by educational facilities in the region.
According to security sources, the attackers were Afghan nationals who had been receiving instructions via phone from handlers across the border. They were believed to have taken refuge in a building situated well away from the cadets’ residential area, prompting the military to conduct a careful and methodical clearance operation.
“The building clearance is being conducted with extreme care to ensure the safety of the cadets,” a source said, emphasizing that protecting students remained the top priority. The operation followed a violent attack on 10 November, when militants rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the college’s main gate, causing a powerful blast that destroyed the entrance and damaged surrounding structures.
Army personnel stationed nearby responded immediately, killing two of the assailants on the spot and preventing the attackers from penetrating deeper into the campus. Officials were quick to underline that assaults on innocent tribal students had no basis in Islam and served only to terrorize the local population. Eyewitness accounts and video footage later confirmed that the militants’ assault had been decisively repelled.
In a message shared by the cadets, they praised the army’s swift response, acknowledging that the troops had saved the lives of every student on campus. Most of the cadets at Wana College come from local communities, and their message highlighted the bravery of the security forces. They noted that five militants had been killed during the gunfight, a figure that reflected the precision and timeliness of the operation.
Security officials said the operation would continue until all remaining threats were fully neutralized, reiterating the army’s commitment to ensuring the safety of students and staff. The incident has once again drawn attention to the persistent risks posed by militant networks in border regions and the ongoing efforts by Pakistan’s military to safeguard educational institutions and civilian lives.
