PESHAWAR: Police Martyrs Day will be observed across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday (today) to pay homage to over 1,800 personnel, who have laid their lives in the line of duty.

In the provincial capital, the day will start with the presentation of guard of honour and Fateha at the grave of Safwat Ghayur, the former commandant of the Frontier Constabulary, who was martyred in a suicide attack at a major intersection next to his office located on the city’s Sunheri Masjid Road on August 4, 2010.

The main event of the day will be attended by Chief Minister Mahmood Khan and Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari.

In a statement, Mr Ansari said the provincial police department was the bravest force of the country, and that he was proud of leading such a force.

He said the police department would strive to make the Shuhada Package further lucrative to facilitate the heirs of the martyrs.

The KP police data showed that total of 1,849 police personnel lost their lives in the line of duty since 1970s. Peshawar police made the highest number of sacrifices with 334 martyrdoms followed by Dera Ismail Khan with 168, Bannu 144, Swat 135, Mardan 105, Charsadda 93, Bajaur 81, Kohat 71, Lakki Marwat 67 and Hangu 64.

In Swabi, speakers at a function paid tribute to the police martyrs and said sacrifices made by the law-enforcement agencies and Pakistan Army had stamped out terrorism effectively.

Floral wreaths were laid at the martyrs’ memorial by the police, administration officials and families of martyred personnel.

Families of the fallen police officials were especially invited to the gathering. On the occasion, Swabi deputy commissioner Captain retired Sanaullah said law enforcement agencies’ role was critical in maintaining peace in the country.

District police officer Mohammad Shoaib Khan said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police had always rendered sacrifices for the country’s security.

Meanwhile, preparations for commemorating the police martyrs day are also in full swing in Tank, Dera Ismail Khan and South Waziristan districts.

“In the run up to the martyrs’ day on August 4, events were held in Tank, South Waziristan and Dera,” Dera police spokesman Imtiaz Ahmad told Dawn on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, Tank district police officer Waqar Ahmad along with senior officials on Wednesday visited the families of the martyred policemen and presented their children with gifts.

The visiting officials also laid floral wreaths on the graves of the martyred policemen. A contingent of police presented a salute on their graves. Blood donation camps have also been organised in South Waziristan to commemorate the day.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2022