First anniversary: glowing tributes paid to martyred police officials

The Punjab police on Tuesday arranged several ceremonies to commemorate sacrifices of its officials who lost their life in the line of duty, especially the first anniversary of martyred Deputy Inspector General of Traffic Syed Ahmed Mubeen and SSP Operations Zahid Gondal. At least 13 people including DIG Traffic and SSP Operations Lahore Zahid Gondal were killed and over 86 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Punjab Assembly (Charing Cross) on February 13 last year. Later, the outlawed Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) claimed responsibility for the attack.
In a ceremony held at the Alhamra Arts Council, Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Arif Nawaz Khan paid glowing tributes to martyred police officials, saying the sacrifices of the Punjab police personnel would not be forgotten and they are committed to providing safe and sound atmosphere to the people. Talking about the Charing Cross incident, the provincial police chief said the sacrifices of martyred DIG Traffic Ahmed Mubeen, SSP Zahid Gondal, Constable Asmatullah and Muhammad Amin have not only lifted the moral of police personnel but also encouraged them to perform their duty diligently.
Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Lahore Amin Wains, Additional IG Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) Punjab Rai Muhammad Tahir, DIG Investigation Lahore Sultan Ahmed Chaudhry, CTO Lahore Rai Ejaz Ahmed and SSP Operations Muntazir Mehdi and other senior police officers and family members of martyred cops, singers, religious scholars, human rights activists, senior journalists and people hailing different walks of life attended the ceremony. IG Arif further said the 13th February is the day of remembrance of sacrifices of martyred police officials and today we pledge that we will protect the lives and properties of citizens without hesitating complexities of the results. "I am proud to be a leader of a force which rendered sacrifices of over 1400 officials," the IGP expressed.
CCPO Amin Wains while paying homage to the martyrs said each police officer of Lahore Police is ready to shed his blood for the protection of homeland. Without any hesitation, he said, the past of the Punjab police highlights that police officers have always faced bullets while fighting against terrorism and anti-social elements. He said the service of police is not just a job but a fulfillment of a great mission which always inspired them to fight against the elements who want to destabilize our country. "Our mission of protecting the country and its people will continue till the elimination of all anti-state elements," the CCPO vowed. In his concluding remarks, Wains remarked that proper care of families of martyred cops is the prime responsibility of the police department.