Bullets elevated my son to martyr status, says father

KARACHI:

Even as friends, colleagues and family members of 11 Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel and four Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) employees who lost their lives in the attack on the airport in Karachi on Sunday night mourned their loss, their grief was tempered by the praise their loved ones received across Pakistan, described as ‘martyrs’.

“I will not shed a tear for my son who has left us forever,” said 60-year-old Maula Dad, the father of a senior PIA technician Fakhar, who was killed on Sunday. “Four bullets fired by the terrorists didn’t kill my son, they elevated him to the status of martyr,” he said. “He held my head high.”

“Whether you accept it or not, write it or not, our colleagues have attained martyrdom,” said one ASF official. “We are ready to sacrifice our lives to protect our homeland.” Another ASF official commented that the deceased has fought on a ‘battlefield’ on Sunday night.

Thousands of miles away from their hometowns, around 3,000 officials reside in six double-story and six single-story barracks at the ASF camp located behind Karachi’s airport. On Monday they witnessed the final rites of their colleagues, as the bodies were washed and prepared for the funerals later in the day.

“Martyrdom is the most desired award of every fighter and that’s what our colleagues have been blessed with,” said one guard. “Their courage is unparalleled and we are satisfied with our efforts last night.”

The coffins were draped with the national flag and a floral wreath perched on each coffin as they were transported from the ASF camp to the airport. The bodies were transported to their families following the funeral.

According to an ASF official who wished to remain anonymous, when officials received word of the attack at the airport, all ASF Jawans present on site were prepared to counter the attack.

Only half of them were sent to the airport. “Every one of us wanted to go but the Jawans on duty had stopped the terrorists and foiled the attack,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2014.