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Friday March 29, 2024

Martyred policemen termed heroes of nation

By Javed Aziz Khan
August 05, 2017

PESHAWAR: Observing the Police Martyrs Day for third consecutive year, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Friday paid glowing tributes to over 1600 fallen policemen who sacrificed their lives with their boots on.

Capital City Police Officer Mohammad Tahir presented salute at the grave of Safwat Ghayur, the senior most police officer martyred in the country in a terrorist attack.

Safwat was heading the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary as its commandant when he was targetted by a suicide bomber soon after he left his office in Saddar on August 4, 2010.

The Martyrs Day is observed all over the country on his death anniversary.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Salahuddin Khan Mahsud along with Major General Saleem Raza and CCPO Peshawar laid floral wreaths at the memorial of the martyrs in the Malik Saad Shaheed Police.

Speaking on the occasion, the IGP said that KP Police have rendered more sacrifices than any other force in the settled areas of the country.

“The force is still ready to face any kind of challenge and offer any sacrifice for restoration of peace in the country and protecting the lives and property of the people,” said Salahuddin Mahsud.

Salutes were also presented at the graves of other policemen who lost lives during the last many years of violence.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Peshawar Sajjad Khan presented salute at the grave of SSP Sajid Khan Mohmand, who was martyred in a suicide attack in Chaman town in Balochistan on July 10.

The SSP Traffic, SSP Coordination, SPs and other officers also presented salute and laid floral wreaths at the graves of policemen.

The regional police officers, district police officers and other senior policemen presented salute at the graves of the martyrs in their own areas.

Quran Khwani was also held at mosques for the martyred policemen.

The major function in connection with the Martyrs Day was held at Nishtar Hall in Peshawar. 

Governor Iqbal Zafar Jhagra was the chief guest on the occasion.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser, IGP Salahuddin Khan Mahsud, ministers, political leaders and people from all walks of life attended the function. 

The KP governor paid glowing
tributes to the martyrs of the KP
Police. 

“The courage of the children of martyrs of KP police during the function has boosted my morale. Their parents really deserve appreciation for sacrificing their lives and training their kids like this,” said Iqbal Zafar Jhagra.

He appreciated the reforms and initiatives in the police force. The governor congratulated the KP government for increasing compensation package for martyrs. 

He added that the sacrifices of the KP police and other security
forces were a golden chapter of the history.

“There were many challenges in the recent years. But the police and other forces as well as the civilians fought the courage and bravery. The good thing is we stood successful in a world war like situation in our region,” said the governor.  

He added that the government made every effort to improve the situation through talks. The governor said that after the operation was launched against the terrorists, the army had secure many areas and restored peace in over 80 per cent area. 

“The remaining 15,20 per cent element can be eliminated by us (the people) by not allowing terrorists to live in our areas and point them to the forces. If the entire nation started reporting suspicious elements, complete peace can be restored with a couple of months,” said Jhagra. 

Iqbal Zafar Jhagra said that his government’s top priority was to restore peace and help return IDPs. He added the government wanted to help the IDPs return their homes before the Fata reforms. 

Asad Qaiser appreciated the bravery of the police force in the province and added the sacrifices offered by the KP police had no match in the world.

The speaker said the government had increased compensation package for the martyrs of the KP Police. 

“Peace has been restored to a great extent with the sacrifices of the KP Police and other law-enforcement agencies. We are still ready to counter any kind of threats and will render any sacrifice,” said IGP Salahuddin Mahsud. 

He added that police force has started performing extraordinarily after it was given independence.  

“Police have got tremendous support from other security forces. I
must also thank the people of the province for acknowledging the role of police and helping the force,” said Mahsud. He added that he and all his force are ready to offer their lives for this soil. 

Kashish, young daughter of a martyred cop and Waqas, son of another martyred policeman, made the audience in the hall to give them a big applause with standing ovation. 

The government on Thursday increased the compensation package for the martyrs to at least Rs10 million.

As many as Rs10 million will be given to the family of a policeman from the rank of constable to inspector, Rs15 million to the family of deputy superintendent of police and Rs20 million to the heirs of superintendent of police or above.  

A series of functions were held during the last many days in connection with the Martyrs Week all over the province. Walks, seminars, blood donation camps and speech competitions were held throughout KP to pay tributes to the fallen heroes. In many districts, police arranged special programs to entertain the children of the fallen policemen.

According to the official statistics of the KP Police, 1644 policemen
were targeted in different kinds of attacks since 1970, while 1261 of these were martyred during the last eleven years.

Those who were martyred during the time included one Additional inspector general of police, two deputy inspectors general, six superintendents of police and 19 acting SPs or DSPs. Among the junior officers, those martyred in the last eleven years included 24 inspectors, 87 sub inspectors, 78 assistant sub inspectors and 125 head constables.

The highest share is that of constables as over 900 were martyred during terrorist attacks, suicide bombings, ambushes and target killings since 2006.

They proved to be the frontline force against terrorists and criminals during the troubled years.