• Says no religion sanctioned attacks on children
• Lauds bravery of security personnel for thwarting attack

LOWER SOUTH WAZI­RISTAN: Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday paid a visit to the Cadet College Wana in Lower South Waziristan, where an attack was thwarted earlier this week, saying that elements from “across the border” were responsible for terrorism in the country.

The minister said the attackers intended to stage a tragedy similar to the 2014 Army Public School (APS) Peshawar carnage, but the “swift and courageous response” of the security personnel thwarted their attempt. He remarked that the assailants were not merely terrorists, but “brutal monsters devoid of humanity”, adding that no religion sanctioned attacks on children.

He later met the cadets and teachers, who were present in the college at the time of the attack, and prai­sed their courage and composure under extreme pressure.

Mr Naqvi also met Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (South) personnel and commended their bravery in foiling the attack and rescuing hundreds of cadets and staff members in the process. He reiterated that the government stood firmly behind the armed forces in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

Inspector General FC South, Maj Gen Mehar Omar Khan Niazi, briefed the minister on the sequence of events and the security operation that followed. Mr Naqvi was later taken to the affected locations and shown the points targeted by the terrorists.

On the occasion, Mr Naqvi asked the authorities concerned to ensure immediate repair and restoration of the institution.

The minister’s visit boosted the morale of the cadets and teachers, and helped restore confidence among local residents, who have been shaken by the region’s deteriorating security situation.

‘Afghan nationals’

According to the officials, investigations into the atta­­ck revealed that all the militants involved in the assault were Afghan nationals. The planning of the attack, along with weapons and other equipment, was facilitated from inside Afghanistan, while the final operational instructions were issued by Noor Wali Mehsud, the leader of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the sources said,

It added that the responsibility for the attack was claimed under a new name, “Jaish-ul-Hind”, in an attempt to conceal the identity of the actual network.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2025