2 policemen on polio duty martyred in Mardan

MARDAN: Two cops deputed to provide security to vaccinators during the ongoing anti-polio drive were martyred in the limits of Chura Police Station here on Wednesday, sources said.

Constable Ali Raza and Constable Shakir were performing duty with a polio team, the sources said, when they were attacked. They were coming back on a motorbike after duty when unidentified gunmen opened fire on them near Palo Dheri Bridge.

The cops sustained multiple bullet wounds and embraced martyrdom on the spot, they added. On social media, the blood-stained bodies of the martyred cops and their bike were circulated as the local people arrived and expressed shock over the incident. The attackers managed to escape from the scene after committing the crime.

The bodies of the two cops were taken to the hospital for post-mortem.

A contingent of the police arrived at the spot after the attack and cordoned off the area. The Chura Police Station area has suffered a number of terrorist attacks in the past. A search operation was launched in the area, but no arrest could be made.

Meanwhile, funeral prayer for the martyred cops was offered at the Police Lines, Mardan.

IGP Dr Sanaullah Abbasi, Commissioner Mardan Abdul Jabbar Shah, DIG Yaseen Farooq, DPO Dr Zahidullah Khan, MPAs Zahir Shah Toru and Abdul Salam Afridi, DHO Dr Kachkol Khan and military officials as well as members of the Dispute Resolution Councils attended the funeral prayers. After the Namaz-e-Janaza, the bodies were sent to Gujrat and Bakhshali villages to which the deceased belonged.

On the occasion, the IGP said that terrorists had no religion and that police had been sacrificing their lives for the nation and country.

The top cop also met with the bereaved families and assured them of bringing the killers to justice. He along with other officials also visited the scene of the attack.