LAKKI MARWAT/BANNU: Three traffic policemen were martyred when suspected militants riding a motorcycle opened fire on them in Sarai Naurang Bazaar in the Lakki Marwat district on Sunday, while a cop was martyred in the limits of Mandan Police Station in the Bannu district.
According to Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Bannu Region Sajjad Khan, the traffic police officials were performing duty when the assailants targeted them and fled the scene after the attack.
The martyred officials were identified as Traffic Police Incharge Jalal Khan, constable Azizullah and constable Abdullah. Their bodies were shifted to Sarai Naurang Hospital for post-mortem.
Following the incident, District Police Officer, Lakki Marwat, Nazir Khan reached the spot along with a heavy police contingent. Police carried out a search operation and set up checkpoints in and around the area to arrest the attackers. Sarai Naurang Bazaar is a busy commercial locality with heavy traffic flow.
Earlier the same day, in a separate incident in Bannu, a police official identified as Rasheed Khan was shot dead by terrorists on Mandan Road while he was on his way from home to Mandan Police Station for duty.
The funeral prayers of the martyred police personnel were offered with full state honours at police lines in Lakki Marwat and Bannu.
Senior officers of the police, Pakistan Army, district administration, relatives of the martyrs and residents attended the funerals.
A police contingent presented a salute, flowers were placed on the coffins and special prayers were offered for the elevation of the martyrs’ ranks.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Muhammad Suhail Afridi condemned the firing incident on police personnel in Lakki Marwat and expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of three police officials, including the traffic incharge. He termed the incident condemnable, saying that such cowardly attacks could not dampen the spirits of the law-enforcers.
The chief minister said police personnel were rendering sacrifices on the frontline in the fight against terrorism and assured that those involved in the attack would be brought to justice. He stated that the sacrifices of police martyrs would not go in vain and that the provincial government stood shoulder to shoulder with the police force. He also expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and assured them of all possible support from the provincial government.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif expressed deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of police personnel in firing incidents in Lakki Marwat and Bannu, and paid rich tribute to their sacrifices in the line of duty.
In separate statements, President Asif Ali Zardari conveyed heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and saluted the supreme sacrifices of the martyred police officials.
He prayed for the elevation of the ranks of the martyrs and for patience and fortitude for their families.
The president said the services and sacrifices of the police and security forces for the maintenance of peace and public order were a source of pride for the nation.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif also expressed profound sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the Lakki Marwat firing incident.
He offered prayers for the high ranks of the martyred police personnel and extended condolences to their families.
The prime minister said the police had always played a frontline role in ensuring peace and security, and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to continue supporting law enforcement agencies in their efforts to safeguard citizens.
Both the president and the prime minister reiterated solidarity with the families of the martyrs and underscored the nation’s commitment to honoring the sacrifices of police personnel who lay down their lives in the fight against violence and terrorism.
