Tragically cut short: Policeman, lawyer, political activist among Mardan victims

Constable Junaid stopped suicide bomber from entering court premises, saved lives of hundreds

MARDAN: A selfless policeman who saved the lives of hundreds, a courageous lawyer and a long-time political activist were among those killed in the deadly suicide blast that ripped through Mardan’s district courts on Friday.

Constable Junaid, 26, was present at the district court gate and saved several people as he stopped the suicide bomber from entering the premises.

He was the only son of Asmatullah, who had five daughters and was a resident of Mian Berra in Toru, Mardan.

Talking to The Express Tribune, the family said Junaid, after completing his FA, joined the police force in September 2012 as a constable. During service, he completed his bachelors privately and on April 27, 2015, was appointed as a security constable at the Mardan district courts.

His family said that he was engaged to his cousin and the wedding was to take place after Eidul Azha in mid-September.

Junaid left home early for the district courts where he took his position. Eyewitnesses said the policeman was killed when he tried to stop a suicide bomber from entering the building. Locals and rescue workers rushed his body to District Headquarters Hospital Mardan.

His funeral prayers were held at Mardan Police Lines where a large number of police officials were in attendance. Later, the body was handed to family members and he was laid to rest in his native graveyard in Mian Berra, Toru in Mardan.

DPO Faisal Shehzad recognised the bravery of Junaid by calling him a true son of the soil and assured compensation for the family.

Another individual, whose life was tragically cut short, was Mardan Islamic Lawyers Forum President Yousaf Ali Shah, who was 37.

Shah was a resident of Gujar Ghari, Mardan and was an active member of the forum. He graduated from University of Peshawar. On social media, his colleagues remembered him as a brave, competent and caring person.

Meanwhile, a provincial leader of Awami National Party and former chairperson of the municipal committee, Haji Arshad Khan, succumbed to his injuries a few hours after being caught up in the blast.

Arshad Khan hails from Mardan and had been part of ANP for a long period. He was standing among a group of lawyers when the suicide bomber struck.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2016.