Last week, 12 courageous officers of the Punjab Police, including three Hindu officers, embraced martyrdom when they were ambushed by bandits in Rahim Tar Khan. The tragic attack, the deadliest on police officers in years, was carried out under the cover of night amid the harsh and treacherous terrain of Rahim Yar Khan.
According to details, the police officers were returning from a routine operation to secure the region from notorious dacoit gangs. The convoy, which included several vehicles, was moving cautiously through the narrow, winding paths inundated by rainwater after days of rain in the area. One of their vehicles broke down while passing through the farm fields.
Little to the officers’ knowledge, the bandits had actually planned an ambush and positioned themselves strategically along the route. They waited silently for the convoy to reach a vulnerable point, and as soon as the police vehicles approached, they hit them with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).
The officers were caught off guard. They had little time to respond. Still they tried to regroup and defend themselves. However, they were outnumbered and outgunned. The attackers continued their assault using automatic weapons and left no room for the policemen to escape.
Officers Ajay Ram, Bairam Ram and Raja Kanwal of the Elite Force, like their fellow officers, fought valiantly and tried to repel the attackers. After several minutes of intense fighting, the attack came to a devastating end.
As many as 11 policemen were martyred on the spot, while several others were wounded. Officials later confirmed that one the injured later succumbed during treatment. Later, the martyred police officers were honored in a funeral service at Sadiq Shaheed Police Lines, which was attended by senior officials of the Punjab Police as well as Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi.
Unprecedented acknowledgement
It may be mentioned here that the three Hindu officers were official declared martyrs. Their dedication towards their service in the police force, which resulted in their ultimate sacrifice, was duly acknowledged. Officials said that Ajay Ram, Bairam Ram, and Raja Kanwal, who hailed from different parts of southern Punjab, were an integral members of the police force who were dedicated to protecting the people. Their martyrdom highlights the contributions the minority communities have made for the protection of development of the country, which would not be forgotten.
This acknowledgement is sure to set a precedent for how the sacrifices of all Pakistanis, irrespective of their religion, are recognized in the future. Punjab Minister for Minority Affairs Ramesh Singh Arora also paid tribute to the martyred policemen, particularly the three Hindu police officers.
He said they had made every Pakistani proud, and added that minorities were working along with their Muslim brothers for the nation’s protection, development and prosperity.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif met with the families of the police martyrs at the DPO office and offered her condolences and support. She assured the grieving families that their sacrifices would not be forgotten. She also pledged full support, including free education, housing, and employment for the children of the martyrs. She also promised a swift and “permanent” resolution to the security issues in Katcha area so that such incidents were not repeated.
حکومت پنجاب رینجرز کی مدد سے سندھ بلوچستان حکومت کے تعاون سے تین اطراف آپریشن کرے ان ڈاکوؤں کو پھر ہی مارا جاسکتا ہے