LANDIKOTAL: An assistant sub-inspector of police embraced martyrdom when unidentified assailants opened fire on him in Ashkhel Khwar locality in Landikotal tehsil of Khyber district, police officials said on Saturday.
They said that Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Muhammad Maaz Khan was targeted by unidentified assailants while he was heading home in his car after performing duty as the in-charge of security at the Hamza Baba Shrine in Landikotal. The officials said as he reached Ashkhel Khawar, near his home, the gunmen opened indiscriminate fire on him. He sustained critical gunshot wounds and embraced martyrdom on the spot, they added.
Soon after the incident, police and law enforcement agencies reached the spot and cordoned off the area and started a search operation. However, the killers had managed to escape before the security forces reached the spot.
The funeral prayer for the martyred policeman was later offered with full state honours at police lines in Shahkas in Jamrud.
The funeral prayer was attended by District Police Officer (DPO) Khyber Waqar Ahmed, Provincial Assembly member Abdul Ghani, SP Investigation, SP Bara circle, officers of the Pakistan Army, director PTS Shakas, officials of the district administration, DSP Headquarters, circle officers, relatives of the martyr and a large number of police personnel.
Police contingent presented a guard of honour to the martyr, while senior police officers laid floral wreaths on the coffin. Special prayers were also offered for the elevation of the martyr’s rank and for peace and stability in the country.
DPO Khyber Waqar Ahmed offered condolences with the bereaved family and said that Muhammad Maaz Khan was a humble, well-mannered and brave police officer who sacrificed his life while performing his duty to protect the public and maintain peace.
It may be added that the incidents of militancy and target killings had increased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. At least seven cops were martyred when the terrorists targeted their vehicle with an improvised explosive device in Bajaur district a day earlier.
