During an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Katlang tehsil of Mardan district, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, a Superintendent of Police (SP) made the ultimate sacrifice.
SP Muhammad Ijaz Sherpao led the police party in surrounding a safe house in the Zara Matta area, where two notorious terrorists from the Mohsin Qadir group of TTP were hiding.
“Police received intelligence that in Zara Matta area, two terrorists of Mohsin Qadir group of TTP including the group head Mohsin Qadir and his deputy Abbas were hiding at a safe house following which a police party led by SP Muhammad Ijaz Sherpao surrounded the area,” said a police official, adding that in the exchange of fire both the terrorists were killed. Police told The Express Tribune that three police officials including a DSP also sustained injuries in the operation.
In the ensuing exchange of fire, both terrorists, including the group’s head Mohsin Qadir and his deputy Abbas, were neutralized, but tragically, SP Ijaz lost his life in the line of duty before reaching the hospital.
Additionally, three other police officials, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), sustained injuries.
Read Two terrorists killed, cop martyred in K-P
Despite the casualties suffered by the police, the operation resulted in the successful elimination of the entire top leadership of the Mohsin Qadir group.
District Police Officer (DPO) Najeeb Rehman promptly arrived at the scene and initiated a thorough door-to-door search operation in the locality to ensure the area’s security.
Mohsin Qadir, the group’s leader, was wanted in 21 cases of terrorism, ranging from attacks on security forces to extortion and targeted assaults, while his deputy, Abbas alias Essa, was wanted in 11 cases.
Mohsin Qadir carried a bounty of Rs7 million on his head, dead or alive, while Abbas had a bounty of Rs5 million. SP Muhammad Ijaz Sherpao, who made the ultimate sacrifice, was not only a dedicated officer but also the cousin of Deputy Commissioner Mardan, Fayyaz Khan Sherpao. Their bond, forged in childhood, extended to their professional lives as they served together in Mardan.
The funeral of SP Ijaz was conducted with full military honors at Police Lines Mardan, with high-ranking police officials paying their respects.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 28th, 2024.
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