Five cops martyred in Karak ambush

LAKKI MARWAT:

Five police constables embraced martyrdom when their patrol vehicle came under a deadly attack in the Gurguri area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Karak on Tuesday, triggering a swift security operation and drawing tributes from the country's top leadership.

The fallen personnel were later laid to rest with full state honours as senior civilian and police officials vowed that the sacrifice of the martyrs would not go in vain and that the fight against terrorism would continue with renewed determination.

Confirming the incident, district police spokesman Shaukat Khan said the police mobile was targeted during duty, resulting in the martyrdom of all five personnel on board.

He said the martyrs were identified as constables Shahid Iqbal, Samiullah, Arif, Safdar and Muhammad Abrar, who was driving the vehicle.

Following the attack, a joint operation was launched on the directives of the Kohat Regional Police Office and the Karak district police officer, involving the Karak Police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD).

"Eight terrorists were killed as they were pursued through tricky and mountainous terrain," Khan said. "The bodies of the slain terrorists have been shifted to the hospital for a post-mortem, while the process of identifying them is underway."

Although the precise circumstances of the assault remain under investigation, an image shared by the police spokesman showed what appeared to be the charred remains of the targeted police vehicle.

According to a press release issued by the Karak Police, funeral prayers for the five martyrs were offered with full honours.

"In the funeral prayer ceremony, a decorated contingent of police offered a salute to the martyrs, while flowers were placed on the bodies of the martyrs wrapped in the national flag," the statement said.

The funeral prayers were attended by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi, Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah and Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed, along with senior civil and police officials.

The chief minister and chief secretary "met the relatives of the martyrs, expressed their grief and sorrow and paid tribute to their great sacrifice", the press release said. "The senior officers also assured the relatives of all possible cooperation, government benefits and welfare facilities."

The statement further quoted the inspector general as saying that the martyred police personnel laid down their lives for the maintenance of law and order and the protection of the public, a sacrifice that would never be forgotten.

He added that the K-P police would continue its fight against terrorism with full force, professionalism and determination, and vowed retaliation for the blood of the martyrs.

Chief Minister Afridi, quoted in the statement, said that the sacrifices of martyrs were invaluable and that the police had always remained on the front line in combating terrorism. He added that the government stood firmly with the police and was providing the force with modern equipment.

"Elements hostile to peace will not be forgiven under any circumstances. The sacrifices of the martyred police personnel are a source of pride not only for the police force but also for the entire nation, and their memories will always live on," CM Afridi was quoted as saying.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also condemned the attack, expressing deep sorrow and grief over the loss of precious lives and offering prayers for the martyred officers, according to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office.

He extended condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of the government's full support during the difficult time.

Paying tribute to the police force, the prime minister said police personnel had always played a frontline role in the war against terrorism and had rendered "unparalleled" services to ensure peace and security in the country.

"The entire nation salutes the martyrs who laid down their lives in the line of duty," the prime minister said, adding that their sacrifices would never be forgotten.

Reaffirming the government's resolve, PM Shehbaz stressed that Pakistan remained fully committed to the complete elimination of terrorism in all its forms.

President Asif Ali Zardari also condemned the terrorist attack and expressed his deep grief and sorrow over the martyrdom of police personnel and conveyed sympathies to the bereaved families, the President's Secretariat Media Wing said in a press release.

He also prayed for the high ranks of shaheed personnel at the highest place in Jannah, and said that they were sacrificing their lives for the protection of the motherland. The president paid tribute to the sacrifices of the police force and security forces for the country's defence and maintenance of law and order.

Separately, district police spokesman Asif Hassan said an assistant sub-inspector, Rehmatullah, and a passerby were injured during an exchange of fire between police and wanted suspects in Lakki Marwat's Tajori area.