ABBOTTABAD: Captain Akash Rabbani, who was killed by militants in Mirali, was laid to rest with full military honour in his ancestral graveyard in Habibullah Colony near PMA Kakul on Wednesday.

The funeral prayers of the 25-year-old SSG officer were attended by high ranking army officers, relatives and people from all walks of life at Frontier Force Regiment Centre Ground.

Capt Akash was killed in exchange of fire with militants in the ongoing military operation Zarb-i-Azb in Mirali tehsil of North Waziristan Agency on Tuesday.

Capt Akash, the youngest son of Dr Aftab Rabbani, the head of medicines department in Ayub Medical Complex Abbottabad, joined army as a member of 123 long course and passed out from Kakul in 2011.

He was posted in 47 Artillery and after two years he was selected for the training of Special Services Group. Later he was posted at Tarbela from where he was selected for the special task force posted in North Waziristan.

Dr Rabbani says he is proud of his son

“Akash Rabbani studied at Abbottabad Public School. He was a brilliant student throughout his academic carrier,” his father told Dawn. He said Akash wanted to do something for his motherland.

Recalling the last two months of his son’s life, Dr Rabbani said that he had invited the family members at different functions held at his unit and was very happy from his job. He said that his son always used to say that he was enjoying his service with full professional zeal.

Dr Rabbani said that his son was young and energetic. It was just beginning of his life, he added. “We all family members had many dreams for him but the honour he received is something different,” he said.

Dr Rabbani said that they were proud of him and his success. “Akash told us about his first major success in Miramshah when security forces traced a training centre of suicide bombers,” he added.

Dr Rabbani said that his son wanted to bring peace to the country and free the country of the clutches of militants.

“The day is not far when efforts and sacrifices rendered by the sons of soil like Akash will bear fruits and Pakistan will be put on the path of progress and development,” he added.

Capt Akash was nephew of DIG Nisar Tanoli, EDO Dr Javed Tanoli and former nazim Shaukat Tanoli. He was the younger brother of Dr Danish Rabbni.

Later a floral wreaths ob the behalf of President of Pakistan, prime minister, chief of army staff and his unit were laid on his grave.

Published in Dawn, July 17th , 2014