The auditorium of Peshawar's Army Public School which was attacked by the Taliban gunmen (Associated Press)
Islamabad:
Pakistan's Army today said that out of 27 Taliban militants involved in the Peshawar school massacre nine have been killed and 12 others arrested.
Military spokesman Major Gen Asim Bajwa said 27 militants were involved in the planning and execution of the attack on the army-run school on December 16 that killed 150 people, including 136 students.
"Nine of them have been killed, 12 arrested and efforts are going on to nab the remaining culprits," he said while briefing the media about offensives to eliminate militancy.
Mr Bajwa said the school carnage was ordered by Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) Chief Mullah Fazlullah who divided his force into two groups. Omar Ameer took the responsibility of the operation while Haji Kamran was made the head of the operation.
Mr Bajwa added that the security forces would arrest Mr Fazlullah who is hiding in Afghanistan.
"He is a known terrorist, his capture and handover to Pakistan are being discussed with the Afghan leadership and we are hopeful that we will hear a quick response in this regard," he said.
Mr Bajwa also said the security forces have cleared most of the restive North Waziristan tribal region from militants. He said 'Operation Zarb-i-Azb', launched last June in North Waziristan, has achieved major successes while Operation Khyber-1 in Khyber region was being carried out successfully.
The spokesperson also said the legal process for trying terrorists in military courts has begun with 12 cases already received for trial by military courts.
He said that targeted action against militants was going on in all over the country and 176 'hardcore' terrorists have been killed since December 16 school attack in 1,942 intelligence-based operations.
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