DERA ISMAIL KHAN: A policeman was martyred when unknown assailants opened fire on him in the jurisdiction of Hathala police station here on Monday, an official said.

He said that constable Nazar Khan of Takwara village was going to Kulachi tehsil for performing security duty at a branch of the National Bank of Pakistan when unknown assailants targeted him. He said that the assailants escaped the scene after the shooting.

Police personnel reached the site soon afterwards and shifted the body to Mufti Mahmood Hospital.

Later, the funeral prayers of the martyred constable were offered at the Ejaz Shaheed Police Lines. Regional police officer, Dera, Nasir Mehmood Satti, district police officer Abdul Rauf Babar Qaisrani, deputy commissioner Mansoor Arshad, SP Frontier Reserve Police Saleem Riaz, SP investigations Iqbal Khan and other senior police officers, civil servants and social activists attended the funeral.

A contingent of police on the occasion presented salute to the coffin of the martyred cop, who was wrapped in the national flag.

Floral wreaths were laid on the coffin and prayers were offered for elevation of the martyr’s ranks in the hereafter.

RPO Satti condoled with heirs of the martyred constable and said that the Dera police stood with them in this hour of sorrow. He said the blood of the martyred cop would not go waste as the elements involved in the incident would be brought to justice as soon as possible.

Published in Dawn, September 19th, 2023