All students, teachers rescued as operation concludes at Wana Cadet College

Security forces successfully rescued all students and teachers from Cadet College Wana after a group of terrorists attacked the institution, security sources confirmed on Tuesday, as the clearance operation entered its final phase.

According to security officials, the operation will continue until “the last terrorist is eliminated.” A cautious approach was adopted due to the presence of Afghan militants inside the premises and the priority of ensuring the cadets’ safety, they said.

“Terrorists attempted to take people hostage inside the college but failed,” an official said, adding that the attackers were in contact with their handlers in Afghanistan.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said earlier that terrorists affiliated with an Indian-backed outfit, Fitna al-Khwarij, targeted the college using a vehicle-borne explosive device (VBIED), which struck the main gate and damaged nearby structures. Security forces promptly engaged the attackers, killing two, while three others took shelter inside the administrative block.

Sources said the militants were receiving instructions from Afghanistan, while approximately 650 people — including 525 cadets — were present in the college at the time of the assault. All students and staff have now been safely rescued.

In a statement, ISPR said the attackers attempted to replicate the 2014 Army Public School (APS) Peshawar tragedy, aiming to spread fear among students from the tribal districts pursuing education for a better future.

The military said the attack exposed the contradictions in the Afghan Taliban regime’s claims of denying sanctuary to militants. “Pakistan reserves the right to respond against terrorists and their leadership present in Afghanistan,” the statement added.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif urged Kabul to act against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups operating from its soil, saying that lasting peace in the region depends on Afghanistan’s cooperation.