A life cut short: Newly married police constable pays the ultimate price

Shabir Khan was killed in a suicide attack targeting Aftab Ahmad Sherpao.

PESHAWAR:

On March 3, 2012 Qaumi Watan Party chief Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao and his son narrowly escaped a targeted suicide attack. However, the fate of police constable Shabir Khan and a minor girl standing nearby was not as fortunate.

Sherpao’s convoy was returning from a public rally in Kangra village when a suicide bomber jumped in front of their Land Cruiser. Besides the two fatalities, six others were injured in the blast.

Son of Malik Zafarullah from Sangu, a small village on the outskirts of Peshawar, Shabir Khan had gotten married a month earlier. A relative and former nazim, Wahidullah said Shabir, 24, was very popular because of his good manners.

“He got married just a month before his death. His family was still celebrating his marriage when his dead body arrived home. Everyone was in a state of shock,” said Wahidullah, adding that the police and people of the province had rendered countless sacrifices in the war on terror.

“It is unfortunate that everyone remembers the sacrifices of high-ranking police officials, while people from lower ranks are ignored, despite the fact that for every officer, at least two dozen constables and low ranking officials have been killed,” he said.

“We are really proud of Shabir and pray that God may bestow everlasting peace in this region of our country.”

Shabir was the eldest of three brothers. His father is among the elders of Sangu village.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd, 2013.