KARACHI: Like other parts of the country, Police Martyrs Day was observed here on Wednesday to pay homage to those officials who sacrificed their lives while fighting terrorism and organised crime. So far, 2,355 policemen have been martyred in Sindh, according to Inspector General of Sindh Police Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar.

“It has been police’s priority to protect the people in every situation, including natural disasters, as 38 police officers and jawans have been martyred while performing their duty during the Covid pandemic,” added the provincial police chief.

To mark the day, ceremonies were held at the Central Police Office, Karachi Police Office and headquarters of regional zones of the police in the city, which were attended by the IG, Karachi police chief Imran Yaqoob Minhas, DIGs and others.

The Sindh IG, the city police chief, senior officers accompanied by children of the martyred policemen laid wreaths at the Police Martyrs Memorial at the CPO and headquarters of the police in Garden. They also met families of the martyred policemen and heard their issues.

“National Police Memorial Day is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices of those who laid down their lives in discharge of their duty, and to honour them for their ultimate sacrifices we owe an unpayable debt to their families,” said the provincial police chief on this occasion.

Mr Mahar added: “Sindh police have the honour to have valiant and dedicated officers who gave utmost devotion to public service, leaving legacies that will never be forgotten.”

He said those being honoured made the choice willingly and embraced shahadat. “Let us bow our heads and thank all the martyrs of Sindh police who have made our country so proud.

“Whenever anti-peace elements saw this city with bad intentions, martyrs and ghazis foiled their nefarious designs with their blood and valour,” said the Sindh IG.

He said: “We would never forget the heirs of the martyred policemen as they are our first responsibility and we are fulfilling this responsibility in a good way.”

Karachi police chief Imran Yaqoob Minhas, DIG Zulfiqar Ali Larik and other officers also visited the Rizvia graveyard where they laid wreaths on the graves of martyred policemen.

“Today on Police Martyrs Day, we make promise that we would never allow sacrifices of the officers and jawans to go in vain,” said the city police chief.

A ceremony was also held at the SSU headquarters, which could not be attended by DIG-Security Maqsood Ahmed as he was reportedly infected with Covid, and SSU commandant Zeeshan Shafiq Siddiqi laid a wreath at the police’s memorial on his behalf and distributed gifts among the family members of the martyred.

In the evening, the IG visited the Gizri graveyard and laid wreaths on graves of martyred SSP Chaudhry Aslam Khan and constable Mohammed Amir, who was martyred while foiling an attack on the Chinese consulate in Karachi a few years ago, said a police spokesperson.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2021