PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Pakistan’s security forces have safely rescued all 650 students and staff stranded inside Cadet College Wana in South Waziristan after “Indian-sponsored” Afghan terrorists attacked the educational institution in the country’s border area, security sources said on Tuesday.
Security sources confirmed that the clearance operation had entered its final phase, with the remaining three Afghan terrorists cornered inside the college’s administrative block.
“All students and staff have been safely rescued and moved to a safer place,” a senior security source said, adding that the operation would continue “until the last terrorist is eliminated.”
Earlier, Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said at least three people were martyred during the rescue operation.
“There were around 550 students and nearly 40 teachers inside the college. By the grace of God, our soldiers saved everyone there,” he told journalists in Islamabad.
Minister Naqvi said the attackers were Afghan nationals who had been in contact with handlers across the border in Afghanistan.
He said the terrorists had planned to take hostages but failed. “Terrorists tried to take people hostage inside the cadet college but did not succeed,” Naqvi said, adding that evidence showed communication links between the attackers and their Afghan handlers.
At Cadet College Wana, the attackers have been cornered in the admin block.
The terrorists are continuously broadcasting from there and remain in contact with their handlers in #Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/2DozcEEPY3
— Eagle Eye (@zarrar_11PK) November 11, 2025
Earlier, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said that members of “Fitna al-Khawarij,” an Indian-backed terrorist group operating from Afghanistan, had launched the attack.
The assault began on Monday morning when the attackers rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into the college’s main gate, destroying the entrance and damaging nearby buildings.
Security forces immediately responded, killing two terrorists during the initial exchange of fire. Three others managed to enter the compound and took positions in a building located away from the students’ dormitories. Security forces then launched a cautious operation to avoid civilian casualties.
Security officials said around 650 people, including 525 students, were inside the educational institution when the attack began.
Over 115 students were rescued on Monday, while the rest were evacuated overnight and early Tuesday.
Wana Cadet College: 350 students safe….!!!! Security forces have rescued 350 individuals safely during the ongoing operation against terrorists at Wana Cadet College. Around 650 people, including 525 cadets, were present during the attack. Three terrorists are confined to a… pic.twitter.com/bbZoviWZo7
— Pakistan Strategic Prism (@StrategicPrism1) November 11, 2025
“The careful approach was necessary due to the presence of Afghan Khawarij inside the college and the paramount need to ensure the safety of the cadets,” a security source said.
Security sources said the terrorists had attempted to replicate the 2014 Army Public School massacre in Peshawar but were foiled by the swift response of security personnel.
“The Khawarij from Afghanistan once again tried to repeat the barbaric act of terrorism carried out in the Army Public School in 2014,” a security source said.
The military’s media wing ISPR said Pakistan “reserves the right to respond against terrorists and their leadership present in Afghanistan,” describing the assault as a “heinous and cowardly act” aimed at spreading fear among students in the former tribal areas.
Security sources said the terrorists were receiving instructions from their handlers in Afghanistan. “It is clear that Afghanistan is directly involved in this entire attack,” Interior Minister Naqvi said. “The terrorists were Afghan nationals and were in contact with their people across the border.”
🔴Footage of the #Pakistan Army rescuing students from cadet college Wana
The terrorists are equipped with long range rifles (snipers), the operation is ongoing, the final results will be decisive. InshAllah#PakistanArmy #Wana #ISPR pic.twitter.com/lICmIw8sgw
— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) November 11, 2025
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and urged the Taliban regime in Kabul to act against terrorist groups operating from Afghan territory.
“Afghanistan must realise that lasting peace can only be achieved by reining in the TTP and other terrorist groups operating from its soil,” he said while addressing a Parliamentary Speakers’ Conference in Islamabad.
The attack on Cadet College Wana came amid rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban after Islamabad suspended bilateral talks with the Taliban government.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said last week that negotiations had been halted with “no plan for the next round of talks” due to Kabul’s failure to curb cross-border militancy.
Pakistan has faced a sharp increase in terrorist incidents since the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in late 2022. Many of these attacks have been traced to militants based in Afghanistan.
Security sources said the latest assault aimed to sow fear among tribal students pursuing education in the region.
“Terrorists attacking innocent tribal children have no connection with Islam or humanity,” one senior official said.
The security sources said the operation in Wana would continue until the last terrorist was neutralised.
