RAWALPINDI: Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa on Saturday hailed the sacrifices of the police in war on terrorism.

“Police have rendered great sacrifices in war against terrorism. Salute to martyrs, the real heroes,” the COAS said in a message on the Police Martyrs Day, according to a tweet by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor.

“While all security forces fight terrorists, police have greater role in defeating terrorism. We stand with our police in national effort,” the COAS was quoted in the tweet.

At ceremonies held in connection with the day, tributes were paid to police officers and jawans who sacrificed their lives for the protection of the people of the country.

In Rawalpindi, a ceremony was held at the Police Lines in which District and Sessions Judge Khalid Nawaz was the chief guest.

Registrar Lahore High Court Rawalpindi bench Bahadur Ali Khan, Commissioner Rawalpindi Saif Anjum, Deputy Commissioner Dr Umer Jahangir, President District Bar Association Khurrum Kiyani, Regional Police Officer (RPO) Fayyaz Ahmed, City Police Officer (CPO) Ahsan Abbas along with the families of the police martyrs and officials were present on the occasion.

Speaking on the occasion, the sessions judge said martyrs were alive and would be remembered forever. Police officials have remained in the forefront in the war against terrorism and rendered numerous sacrifices, he said.

In his message, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Kaleem Imam said the martyrs had written a history of bravery and courage with their blood.

He said the sacrifices of the martyrs reminded all officers and officials that the police force was not just a profession but a sacred mission, which it would continue with honesty and bravery till their last breath.

The RPO said the police officials who rendered their lives for the protection of the citizens would never be forgotten.

“Our doors are open for martyr’s families and in case of any problem they can contact us.”

ATTOCK: A ceremony was held in Attock in connection with the martyrs day. Station Commander Brigadier Khalid, Sessions Judge Sohail Ikram, Deputy Commissioner Imran Qureshi, District Police Officer Hassan Asad Alvi and others attended the ceremony.

Families of the martyrs and a large number of people were also present. The station commander announced that children of the police martyrs would be provided free education in the army public schools.

TAXILA: The martyrs day was also observed in Taxila and Wah to pay tributes to the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

Special functions were held in all the three police stations of the area. Quran Khwani was arranged in all the three police stations where special prayers were offered for the fallen heroes. Police officials also visited the graveyards of head constable Asif Mehmood and Raja Mohammad Niaz and offered fateha and laid wreaths.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2018