RAWALAKOT (Kashmir English): A condolence reference was held in Rawalakot to pay tribute to the martyrs of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Police, where attendees paid rich tributes to the martyrs, praising their sacrifices and bravery in protecting the state and maintaining peace.
The ceremony was hosted by the police under the leadership of Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Region Sardar Zaheer Ahmed.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including former AJK Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan, Minister for TEVTA Sardar Aamir Altaf, Member of Assembly Sardar Hassan Ibrahim Khan, Commissioner Poonch Masood-ur-Rehman, DIG Police Sardar Zaheer, along with senior civil and military officers.
Addressing the ceremony, former Prime Minister Sardar Tanveer Ilyas Khan said that the Azad Kashmir Police are the backbone of the nation, who have upheld the dignity of the state on every front.
He emphasized that those who sacrificed their lives to protect the state and terrorists cannot be equal. “Due to the performance of the police and the befitting reply of the Pakistan Army to India, we are living a life of peace today,” he stated.
The government minister Sardar Amir Altaf added that the heirs of the martyrs are not only martyrs but also the real heirs of the state, who have sacrificed their lives and lit the candle of peace in the state.
He stressed that the Azad Kashmir government is proud of its martyrs, and their sacrifices will always be remembered.
He raised the question of how the martyrs who sacrificed their lives could be traitors. “And how can those who were planning terrorism be innocent? Were we waiting for a big tragedy?”
The Member of the Assembly, Sardar Hassan, stressed that peace and order can be maintained in the state only with the supremacy of the constitution and law.
He said that this system has been established through the sacrifices, struggles, and hard work of our elders. He questioned, “How can yesterday’s heroes be today’s traitors? Terrorists cannot become heroes.”
“Whoever does wrong will definitely be punished according to the law, and we stand with the institutions.”
During his address, Commissioner Poonch Division Masood-ur-Rehman said that the Pakistan Army protected the state from external attacks while the police bravely fought internal terrorism. He stated, “We salute the khaki uniform and the black uniform.”
He said that the presence of the Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir and the IG Police in Rawalakot on the night when the terrorists were confronted is proof that the police is performing its duty according to the constitution and law.
Furthermore, DIG Police Sardar Zaheer Ahmed pledged to the heirs of the martyrs that the police will not let the sacrifice of their loved ones go in vain and will bring every person to justice who harms the peace of the state.
He said that those who make the martyrs controversial should fear the time when this fire will reach their homes, and then there will be no one to extinguish it.
Retired Deputy Inspector General of Police Sardar Gulfraz Ahmed, Sardar Shahzeb Shabbir, Superintendent of Police Poonch Muhammad Riaz Mughal and other speakers and heirs of the martyrs also paid tribute to the courage, bravery and sacrifices of the police and expressed their resolve that all possible steps will be taken for the implementation of law in Azad Kashmir.
At the end of the ceremony, special prayers were offered for the martyrs, the stability of the country, and the freedom of occupied Kashmir. Honorary shields and certificates were also distributed among the families of the martyrs.
On this occasion, a resolution was also passed to celebrate “Police Martyrs’ Day” at the official level every year.
