ISLAMABAD; Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on Tuesday that three people were martyred during the ongoing security operation against terrorists holed up inside Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan. He confirmed that all students and teachers had been safely rescued by security forces.
“By the grace of God, our soldiers saved everyone there,” Naqvi said while addressing the media in Islamabad. “There were around 550 students and nearly 40 teachers inside the college.” However, he did not clarify who was among the martyrs.
The minister said the terrorists had planned to take the cadets hostage, but the plan failed due to the timely response of the security forces. “The clearance operation is continuing and will be completed soon,” he added.
Security forces had earlier killed two attackers who had rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the college’s main gate, destroying it and damaging nearby buildings.
Naqvi directly accused Afghanistan of involvement in the attack, saying the terrorists were of Afghan origin and were in constant communication with handlers across the border throughout the night. “We are very clear that Afghanistan is directly involved in this entire attack,” he said.
He urged the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa not to allow themselves to be influenced by the terrorists’ propaganda. “They are trying to defame you and use your identity. We must stand with Pakistan and our security forces — every other country comes later,” he stated.
Referring to recent visits by top Pakistani officials to Kabul, including the foreign minister and defence minister, Naqvi said Pakistan had repeatedly provided evidence to Afghan authorities about militants being trained and launched from Afghan soil. “Afghanistan must stop these elements under all circumstances. Otherwise, Pakistan will be left with no choice but to deal with them directly,” he warned.
Earlier, security sources confirmed that three terrorists remained trapped inside an administrative building within the college compound. They said the attackers were linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and were in communication with their handlers in Afghanistan.
According to sources, the terrorists were confined to an area far from the cadets’ hostels, and the operation was being carried out with great care to ensure the students’ safety.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the “blatant act of barbarism” was carried out by militants operating from Afghanistan — contradicting the Afghan Taliban’s repeated denials of harbouring such groups.
Security officials described the group as part of an Indian-backed network known as “Fitna al-Khawarij,” which they said was attempting to replicate the 2014 Army Public School massacre in Peshawar.
The military said the attack was aimed at spreading fear among the youth of the tribal areas, who are pursuing education to secure a better future.
Pakistan has faced a renewed wave of terrorism over the past year, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, after the TTP ended its ceasefire in 2022 and resumed attacks on security and law enforcement personnel.
Earlier reports pouring in states; Pakistan security forces are carrying out a clearance operation at Cadet College Wana after three attackers remained trapped inside an administrative block, security sources said on Wednesday.
About 650 people, including 525 cadets, were present on campus when the assault began. So far, security teams have evacuated 115 people safely; roughly 535 individuals remain on the premises as authorities proceed with a cautious sweep to protect the students.
Sources said the three men, described as Afghan-origin, are confined to an administrative building and are reportedly receiving directions by phone from handlers across the border. The college and surrounding area have been fully cordoned off while officials conduct a gradual evacuation.
According to the account, on November 10 the assailants drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the main gate, destroying it and damaging nearby structures. Security forces responded quickly, killing two attackers at the scene while others were contained inside the compound.
Security officials have blamed the attack on proxies they say are backed by India and claimed the militants aimed to spread terror by targeting an educational institution and children. They linked the attackers to a group named “Fitna al-Khawarij” (or “Fitna al-Hindustan”) and said there were attempts to mimic the 2014 Army Public School atrocity in Peshawar.
A message circulating on social media, attributed to Jaish al-Hind leader Irshadullah Irshad, allegedly warned parents against enrolling their children at the college.
Officials told reporters the objective was to intimidate parents and students in the tribal districts, but added such acts will not weaken Pakistan’s resolve to combat terrorism. They said the operation will continue until the last attacker is neutralised and warned Pakistan reserves the right to respond to terror leadership and networks allegedly operating from Afghan soil.
Cadet College Wana — established at the request of local tribes — offers modern education to children of the Mehsud and Wazir tribes and has produced graduates serving across the country.
