Dockyard attack case: IHC restores death sentence to former navy officials

ISLAMABAD: Islamabad High Court (IHC) removed the stay order on the implementation of the death sentence awarded to five former Navy officials in the Dockyard Attack Case.

It also wrapped up their petition for the provision of documents to them. Justice Babar Sattar disposed of the petition after the statement from defence lawyers. The court said this was an incident of terrorism and should not be turned into an issue of the right of access to the documents. The petition was filed by accused Arsalan Nazir Satti, Muhammad Hammad, Muhammad Tahir Rashid, Hammad Ahmad and Irfan Ullah.

They were convicted in connection with the attack on the naval dockyard, which targeted vital naval assets. The attackers boarded a Pakistan Navy frigate in September 2014, where they were spotted triggering a gun battle with naval commandos.

At least two terrorists were killed and four others were captured during the six-hour-long firefight with the intruders. Col (retd) Inam ul Rahim advocate told the court following the court’s orders, access to the inquiry report and decision was given in the presence of state counsel. Inquiry report and judgment were shown and their notes have been made. Earlier the naval authorities had refused to provide a copy of the report of the board of inquiry terming it an issue of national security. Later the court announced the decision ending the stay order on the implementation of the death sentence for the former naval officers.