QUETTA: A large number of people, including provincial ministers, women legislators, police and army personnel, led by Balochistan Chief Minister Nawab Sanaullah Zehri, Commander of Southern Command Lt Gen Aamir Riaz and Inspector General of Police Ahsan Mehboob, held a candlelit vigil on Saturday in memory of cadets killed in the recent attack on the Police Training College.

The vigil was held amid tight security at the Central Police Office Chowk.

Chief Minister Zehri, while paying tribute to the police cadets who lost their lives, said the government and security forces would use all available resources to drag out of their hideouts and bring to justice the elements behind the attack.

“We are proud of our forces who never hesitated to sacrifice their lives for the protection of the motherland whenever terrorists attacked it.” He said the army, police and Frontier Corps had saved hundreds of lives by clearing the college premises in four hours.

He thanked Lt Gen Riaz for immediately reaching the site and taking over the command of the operation. He said it was very painful that “we are here to light candles for the second time in a very short time”.

However, he said, the people of Pakistan and the security forces were determined to fight the enemies and would never bow before them.

Lt Gen Riaz expressed his deep sorrow over the incident and termed it a “very big tragedy that deprived us of the precious lives”.

He said the police should not feel abandoned and alone after such incidents.

“We are standing with police and will bring the terrorists and their facilitators to justice with coordinated efforts,” he said.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2016