Hawaldar Naseem: The father who sacrificed himself in the line of duty

Hawaldar Naseem, a father of three children, was one of two policemen martyred in the line of duty on Monday when they stopped a suicide bomber from entering the premises of a local court in Shabqadar tehsil of Charsadda. At least 13 people, including two policemen, were killed and several others injured on Monday when the suicide bomber detonated his explosives after he was stopped at the court gates. Eyewitnesses and fellow policemen present at the spot said Hawaldar Naseem's selfless act of bravery and sacrifice by challenging the suicide bomber helped save many other lives and avert a major disaster. According to police, the suicide attacker attempted to enter the court building but the policemen posted for guard duty challenged him at the gates of the Sessions' court. “Policemen were deployed here for security duty. The bomber tried to force himself inside the court. He had a weapon and fired shots before blowing up his explosives,” said DIG Saeed Wazir. Naseem was martyred when the terrorist detonated his suicide vest. Police officials said his funeral prayers will be offered at the police line in tehsil Shabqadar. Five police constables were also among those injured in the terrorist attack. In a statement from the PM House, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif lauded the brave police officials who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty in Shabqadar today. He strongly condemned the terrorist attack, and extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims. The countless sacrifices by our law enforcement agencies in the fight against terrorism will not go in vain, said the prime minister. The brave police officials who embraced martyrdom in the line of duty sacrificed their today to safeguard a peaceful tomorrow for our future generations, he said.