Islamabad, April 2 (IANS): Military courts in Pakistan on Thursday sentenced six "hardcore terrorists" to death in the first ever verdict since the establishment of these courts in January, the chief of army staff confirmed on Thursday.

The director general of military’s media wing, Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa said via his Twitter account: "Army Chief confirms death sentence of six hardcore terrorists tried by the recently established military courts."

He added that the convicted criminals were involved in heinous acts of terror, manslaughter, suicide bombings and other criminal activities. They, however, have the right to appeal before the court against this judgment.

The government had decided to set up military-led special courts after the Tehreek-e-Taliban's brutal attack on an army-run school in Peshawar in December last year that left over 140 children and staff dead.

President Mamnoon Hussain had promulgated an ordinance further revising the recently amended Army Act to ostensibly aid the functioning of military courts by allowing for trials in camera, that is without the presence of the public or the media, and over video link, if necessary.