MINGORA: The children of the 128 policemen, who were killed in line of duty, took part in different activities and spent a day with police officials at Shuhada Park here on Sunday.

The Swat Police Shuhada Gala 2015 was organised for the families and children of those policemen who sacrificed their lives for their homeland during militancy in the district. The children of the killed policemen said that they felt honoured to attend the function.

Muniba, a fifth grader, said that she was about six-year-old when her father was slaughtered. “All the people in our family were crying and the children were groaning that terrorists had slit my father’s throat,” she told Dawn. She added that she realised that day that his sacrifice was honoured. “I am proud of my father. He sacrificed his life for the country,” she said.

Children say they are proud of their fathers as they sacrificed lives for homeland

Abida, a little girl, who came with her brothers and sisters from Kabal area, said that she missed her father very much as he would regularly take them for outing and picnics on off days.

“My cousin came running and informed us that Taliban shot dead my father. I really miss my Baba as there is no alternative to father in this world,” she told Dawn. She added that she would get education and become a doctor.

There were many families whose more than two members were killed during the mayhem in Swat. These people say that they are ready to offer more sacrifices for the homeland.

“My nephew, who was in police, was slaughtered in Shakardara by Taliban when he was on duty in 2007. In 2008, my brother, who was performing duty on the night of general elections, was killed by Taliban. My other brother was killed by Taliban near the district courts in 2009,” said Sarfaraz Khan, a police constable, who was accompanied by the children of all his killed relatives.

He said that those orphan children were proud of their father as they were killed for the sake of the country.

DIG Azad Khan and DPO Saleem Marwat also spent time with the children of killed policemen.

“All the martyrs of police, who offered sacrifices for the nation and the country, must be remembered with honour,” said the DIG.

Talking to Dawn, the DPO said that it was a memorable day for him to be with the children of his fallen comrades. “This will give these children a realisation that they are not alone but the entire police force is like a family,” he added.

Published in Dawn, August 3rd, 2015

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