国际英语新闻:Pakistan army chief confirms death penalty of 15 hardcore terrorists

ISLAMABAD, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Pakistan's Army Chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Thursday confirmed the death sentence to another 15 "hardcore terrorists," who were involved in "heinous offenses related to terrorism," the military said.

A statement from the army's media wing the Inter-Services Public Relations said, the convicts were involved in killing of 45 persons, including four civilians, 41 armed forces, police officials and injuring 103 others.

The statement said arms and explosives were also recovered from their possession.

The convicts were tried by special military courts and they confessed their offences before the judicial magistrates and the trial courts.

Besides, six convicts, who belong to proscribed organizations, have also been awarded imprisonment, the statement said.

The convicts have the right of appeal to the country's president under the law, according to the legal experts. However, the president has previously rejected all mercy petitions in terrorism-related cases.

It is the second time in nearly a month the army chief has confirmed the death penalty to the militants. On July 13, Bajwa had confirmed the death sentence to another 12 "hardcore terrorists" for involvement in terrorist act.

The military courts were set up for a period of two years after the terrorist attack on an army school in December 2014 for the speedy trial of the terrorism-related accused. Nearly 150 people, including 132 children, were killed in the attack.

In March 2017, Pakistani parliament passed a special bill to give a two-year extension to the military courts.