Steadfast soldiers: In memory of Muhammad Fida

Peace militia chief was actively involved in several police operations in Akka Khel.

PESHAWAR: I have lost two friends, Niaz Gul and Muhammad Fida, to the Garhi Mali Khel bomb blast this week. Fida had been a commander of the Suleman Khel Aman Lashkar (peace militia) since 2008.

Fida survived several bomb blasts in the past but he became victim to last Monday’s blast and succumbed to his injuries in the Combined Military Hospital (CMH) on Thursday.

His brother, Abul Ghani, was killed by militants three years ago. “I will find them even if takes me 10 years and then I will take my revenge, but I cannot hurt innocent people,” he told me back then.

I called him a week before his death and he happily told me that he had sold some land and was constructing a house. “I am going to arrange the weddings of my two sons soon. Once the house is complete, I will invite you to see it,” Fida had said.

I was finally able to see his house but was too late to congratulate him. Instead, I participated in the funeral proceedings and prayed for his departed soul.

The happiest days of his life were when he worked with late SP Kalam Khan. Khan encouraged Fida and took his advice before taking any decision. Fida was actively involved in several police operations in Akka Khel under SP Kalam Khan.

With the death of Niaz Gul and Muhammad Fida, the police have lost two strong men in one of the most volatile regions of Peshawar.

These people received no reward for their services. Fida received a pension from the army and a small piece of land to live on. He was not very rich but he was a proud man.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2013.