PM announces package for martyred cop

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has issued directives to prepare a shuhada package for the slain cop who was martyred during a suicide blast in Sector I-10/4, Islamabad. The prime minister also approved a financial package for the taxi driver who was killed in the suicide blast.

The prime minister approved the package for the driver in light of the investigation by law enforcement agencies. The prime minister approved a financial package of Rs10 million for the family of driver Syed Sajjad Haider Shah.

On the instructions of the prime minister, a cheque for the financial package was handed over to the family of Syed Sajjad Haider Shah. The investigation revealed that the taxi driver had no connection with the terrorists or their plan. Syed Sajjad Haider Shah's taxi exploded in Sector I-10/4 of Islamabad on December 23.

Sajjad Haider originally hailed from Rahana, Chakwal district and lived in Muslimabad, Dhok Syedan in Rawalpindi. Sajjad Haider is survived by his wife and four children.

Earlier, authorities decided to form a joint investigation team (JIT) to investigate the Sector I-10 suicide blast in the federal capital. According to a letter issued on Saturday, an eight-member JIT will be constituted to investigate the attack, claimed by the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Apart from SP Industrial Area, SDPO Sabzi Mandi, an investigation officer, and two officers from sensitive institutions will also be part of the JIT.

The JIT will conduct a thorough investigation into the blast and prepare a report. On December 23, a policeman was martyred and at least six others—including four policemen—sustained injuries in a car bombing in Islamabad. The police had spotted a "suspicious vehicle" in the I-10/4 sector at around 10:15 am with a man and a woman inside which was stopped by the Eagle Squad. The bombing took place near the police headquarters on the main road leading to government buildings housing the parliament and other high offices.

It was the first suicide attack in Islamabad since the courthouse bombing in 2014 that killed 10 people. Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah said that the bombers were after some “high-value” targets. He also said that the capital was already on high alert due to threats of such an attack.

However, the police later said that security measures were being stepped up in the capital city in the wake of the suicide bombing. “No person will be allowed to carry arms,” the police said, advising the people to carry their necessary identity documents while travelling.

“The two came out of the vehicle. The man with long hair, while being checked by the officers, went inside the vehicle for some reason, and detonated himself," DIG Chattha said. “As a result, a police officer from the Eagle Squad was martyred and four others were injured in the incident.”

The Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) police identified the martyred policeman as Head Constable Adeel Hussain.