PESHAWAR: The police department is observing Youm-i-Shuhada on Wednesday (today) to commemorate the sacrifices of its 1,522 men and women, who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

Breakdown of police losses in two decades of war against terrorism showed that a total of 1,522 personnel of the force embraced martyrdom from 2000 to 2021 while 186 officials lost their lives from 1970 to 2000. Besides, a total of 1,722 police personnel were wounded in incidents of terrorism from 2000 to 2021.

This year the day is being observed at such a time when attacks on police and other security personnel have witnessed an uptick after months’ long peace.

Earlier last week, two police personnel were martyred in two separate attacks in the provincial capital. Similar attacks have been reported from other parts of province as well as tribal districts.

A police spokesperson told Dawn that there would not be any major event on the day at provincial level due to Covid-19 pandemic. Only capital city police and regional police would hold programmes to observe the day, he added.

The main event of the day would be held in the provincial capital at the grave of Frontier Constabulary martyred commandant Safwat Ghayur, who was killed in a suicide attack on August 4, 2010.

In his message for the day, provincial police chief Moazaam Jah Ansari said that police courageously fought the menace of terrorism over the past two decades.

He said that police department would continue to take care of children and families of its martyred personnel.

Also, police officials are visiting the families of martyrs in the provincial capital and other parts of the province.

On Tuesday, Capital City Police Officer Abbas Ahsan visited the residence of martyred cop Niaz Mohammad in Khyber tribal district.

In provincial capital, SP Sajjad Hussain visited the residence of police commando Iftikhar Ali and met his minor son.

An event was also held at traffic police lines to observe the day.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2021