Bomb Disposal Personnel: “Between bomb, God and us”

Despite many assurances, BDS personnel continue to risk work in trying circumstances.


Fawad Ali/rizwan Shehzad November 27, 2014

RAWALPINDI/ ISLAMABAD:


Muhammad Aslam’s responsibilities increase manifold before any political rally, festival or any other public event as he and his four-member team have to sweep the area before people swarm in.


Aslam, a retired army official, and other members of the bomb disposal squads (BDS) in the twin cities have been risking their lives to save others while defusing explosive devices since 2001.



He works with the Rawalpindi Civil Defence Department and is confident he can deal with “any situation”. Aslam and his team have averted a number of disasters and saved the lives of people.

He often worries about what will happen to his family if he was killed. “Everyone has to go someday. I will rather die with my boots on instead of dying on a bed at home or in a hospital,” Aslam said.

Our passion keeps us going

With just one safety suit, nine railways BDS staffers inspect around 15 trains each with around 15 bogies respond to any possible threats at stations and clearing the tracks every day.

“It’s always between bomb, God and us,” said Inspector Muhammad Akhtar Butt, the BDS in-charge. “We recite whatever we can before responding to a threat call. Every call is taken with the knowledge that it could be our last.”

“This job offers little more than the risk of death and a basic salary. It’s our passion which keeps us going,” he said. Butt claimed that in the recent past, the salaries of all policemen were increased except BDS officials.



“We know we are lifesavers and take our job religiously,” Islamabad Police BDS Director Major (retd) Ateequr Rehman says.

Public interference and media personnel running around flashing their cameras are major hindrances and create distraction while working in the field.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 28th, 2014.

COMMENTS (5)

cautious | 9 years ago | Reply

Extra pay, extra pension, extra govt funded health and life insurance would be a nice token of appreciation. How about directing some military funding to upgrade bomb disposal equipment for the guys who check out the trains - USA providing equipment for some depts but ultimately it's your responsibility.

Ali | 9 years ago | Reply

Shame on the Govt. for not providing them with enough bomb proof suits while the PM spends millions of rupees of a single out of country excursion.

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