ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday paid tribute to the police personnel martyred in the terrorist attack of Fitna al-Khwarij on the Fateh Khel police station in District Bannu.
The president expressed condolences to the families of martyrs, prayed for high ranks of deceased and urged the bereaved families to remain patient during this difficult time, President’s Secretariat Media Wing said in a press release.
The terror attack left 15 policemen martyred.
President Zardari also expressed sorrow over the damage caused to the homes of local residents in the incident and directed both the provincial and federal governments to ensure all possible assistance for the injured and affected families. He reiterated that nefarious designs of terrorists would be defeated. The nation stood shoulder to shoulder with its security forces.
The president further said that at a time when Pakistan was striving for regional and global peace, terrorist groups backed by India and operating from safe havens provided under the Taliban regime were targeting Pakistan’s civilian population and law enforcement agencies. Pakistan would succeed in its efforts for global peace and would also defeat terrorists and their supporters, he added. He resolved that they would target not only the terrorists but also their facilitators and patrons.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Muhammad Sohail Afridi and strongly condemned the recent terrorist attack on a police checkpoint in Bannu. During the conversation, the prime minister expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives in the attack and prayed for elevation of ranks of police personnel martyred. He also extended heartfelt condolences to their bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attack.
Reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to eliminating terrorism, Shehbaz Sharif said the Centre would continue working closely with provincial governments to ensure complete eradication of terrorism from the country. “We will provide every possible assistance to the provincial government in the fight against terrorism,” the prime minister said.
Both leaders paid tribute to the Pakistan Armed Forces, security forces and police personnel for their sacrifices and efforts in combating terrorism.
The prime minister reiterated that the government remains fully determined to eliminate all forms of terrorism from the country.
Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs, Gilgit-Baltistan and SAFRON and President of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PMLN), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Amir Muqam, strongly condemned the terrorist attack on Fateh Khel Police Station in district Bannu.
In a statement on Sunday, the federal minister expressed deep sorrow and grief over the loss of lives in the attack. He offered prayers for the elevation of ranks of martyrs and for early recovery of those injured.
Amir Muqam said that sacrifices rendered by the martyrs would not be allowed to go in vain and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to continue efforts for lasting peace and stability in the country. He also paid tribute to security personnel for their bravery and commitment in the fight against terrorism.
Meanwhile, foreign missions in Pakistan condemned the terrorist attack on a Bannu police check-post and said their nations stood with Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.
In a message on X (formerly Twitter), the Embassy of Turkiye condemned in the “strongest terms the vile terrorist attack” in Bannu. “We wish Almighty Allah’s mercy upon those who lost their lives and extend our deepest condolences to their families and to the brotherly people of Pakistan,” it said. The embassy said Turkiye continued to stand in full solidarity with brotherly Pakistan in its fight against terrorism.
Also, Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghadam “strongly condemned the hideous and awkward” terrorist attack on behalf of Iran’s government and people and extended sincere and deepest condolences and sympathy to the government, police and the people of Pakistan, especially the bereaved families. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones. We pray for the safe and speedy recovery of the injured,” he said in a post on his X handle. The envoy prayed the Almighty Allah to grant His blessings to the martyrs and bless them with eternal peace in Jannat-ul-Firdous (highest paradise).
The British High Commission, too, strongly condemned the terrorist attack and said its thoughts went out to the deceased’s families as well as the injured. “The UK stands in solidarity with Pakistan in the fight against terrorism,” the high commission said in a message.
Also, the General Secretariat of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned the terrorist attack and offered “sincere condolences and sympathy” to Pakistani government and people, including the families of victims. In a message, the OIC wished a speedy recovery to the injured and reaffirmed its solidarity with Pakistan in the face of terrorism and violence. It reiterated its “firm stance rejecting terrorism and extremism in all their forms and manifestations.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Information Secretary Sh Waqas Akram unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms condemned the heinous and barbaric suicide attack on the Fateh Khel Police Post in Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Taking serious note of the persistent and grave security challenges confronting the province, Waqas Akram called upon the federal government to immediately dispatch all necessary financial resources, logistical support and state of the art equipment to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police.
He stressed that only through prompt, decisive and comprehensive measures can the scourge of terrorism be decisively eradicated from the region.
In a statement issued here, he paid profound tribute to the martyred officers and personnel, billing their supreme sacrifice as an irreparable and monumental loss to the nation. Waqas Akram affirmed that the valiant police and security forces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are serving on the frontlines in the war against terrorism with exemplary courage and their unmatched sacrifices shall be forever enshrined in the nation’s history as a testament to their unwavering commitment and gallantry.
He highlighted that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police has consistently exhibited exceptional professionalism, resilience and extraordinary bravery despite severe resource constraints, serving as a formidable and steadfast bulwark against the forces of terror.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, he underlined, extends its deepest condolences and complete solidarity to the bereaved families of martyrs in this hour of immense grief and sorrow. The party prays for the swift and full recovery of all injured personnel.
He noted “Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf reiterates its resolute and unyielding commitment that the entire nation and all state institutions remain united and steadfast in the war against terrorism.”
Anti-national elements and terrorist outfits, he emphasised, shall never be permitted to succeed in their nefarious and destructive designs under any circumstances. “The sacred blood of our martyrs shall not go in vain,” declared Waqas Akram.
