Tributes paid to DIG Malik Saad Shaheed

PESHAWAR: It was seventh of Muharram in January 2007 when a suicide bomber blew up near the Qissa Khwani bazaar to kill many people, including the then capital city police officer and one of the most celebrated cops, Malik Mohammad Saad.

Malik Saad along with junior officers and some local elders was inspecting the security arrangements for the mourning procession in connection with the 7th of Muharram when he was targetted.

He was martyred along with Deputy Superintendent of Police Khan Raziq while more than a dozen others were killed in the attack.

Superintendent of Police (City) Sher Akbar, DSP Shah Nawaz and Station House Officer Imtiaz Ahmad were critically wounded in the attack.

This was the first major terrorist attack in Peshawar. It was followed by an unending number of attacks on senior police and army officials, politicians and civilians.

The death of Malik Saad was widely mourned. People remained in shock for days. They still remember the brave cop, who was known for his honesty, commitment, professionalism, and smiling face even nine years after his martyrdom.

The officers who have replaced him termed Malik Saad a true legend. “He was a great human being and an excellent officer who will always be a role model for a police officer,” said Mohammad Tahir, the present capital city police officer.

Malik Saad’s posters are still placed at a number of places in Peshawar to pay tributes to him and keep alive his memory.

As administrator of the Peshawar Municipal Corporation, he widened the city roads through a historic operation against encroachments with the backing of the then governor Lt Gen (R) Iftikhar Hussain Shah.