All students and teachers at Cadet College Wana have been brought to safety as security forces continue a clearance operation that has entered its final stage, officials said on Tuesday. At least three attackers remain inside the campus but are reported to be away from the students’ residential block, the sources added.
Security officials said troops killed two militants during Monday’s assault and are searching the site carefully to make sure no one else remains. Medical teams treated 15 civilians and four security personnel wounded in the initial strike; the injured servicemen were named by authorities as Naib Subedar Tabish, Lance Havaldar Shakeel and soldiers Abdullah and Waqas.
The attack began with a vehicle-borne explosion at the college’s main gate, after which gunmen tried to force their way onto the campus. A labourer who was rescued said builders were erecting a mosque inside the grounds when the violence began and suggested there may have been more attackers than first believed.
Around 650 people were reported to have been confined inside the college during the operation. Independent reports said students were not being held hostage but were staying in their dormitories while security teams cleared the administration block opposite the student housing.
Students praised the Pakistan Army for protecting their chance to study in peace. “The army built this college for our education, peace and progress,” one cadet said, condemning those who want to stop children in Waziristan from going to school. Many pupils voiced relief and determination after the ordeal.
In Islamabad, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that investigations had traced links and training to locations in Afghanistan. He warned Kabul to act against militant elements or face consequences. Naqvi also confirmed a separate suicide blast at the Islamabad G-11 district outside the court the previous day that killed 12 people and injured dozens; officials said the bomber had been prevented from entering the courthouse and detonated near a police vehicle instead.
What happens next,security forces will complete a full sweep of the campus to clear the remaining attackers and secure the area. Authorities said they will continue tracing the origin and support networks behind both the Wana and Islamabad attacks and take steps to hold those responsible to account.
