Four slain policemen given tearful adieu as officers vow to root out terrorism

The last rites of four police personnel, killed in an encounter with terrorists in Kathua district, were performed with full honours at their native places with participating officers vowing to eliminate terrorism from the region.

Head constable Jagbir Singh of Mattu-Khour in Jammu’s Akhnoor and selection grade constables — Tariq Ahmad of Chamba-Panthal in Reasi, Balwinder Singh Chib of Kana Chak, and Jaswant Singh of Londi Morh in Kathua were killed in the two-day gunfight in the remote Safiyan forest area on Thursday.

Amidst surcharged atmosphere and emotional scenes, thousands of people attended the last rites, raising slogans in praise of the slain policemen. Anti-Pakistan slogans were also chanted during the processions, they added.

Senior BJP leader and MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, along with former J&K BJP president Ravinder Raina, attended the funeral of Constable Ahmad, who is survived by his wife, four-year-old daughter, and elderly parents.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) (Udhampur-Reasi range) Rayees Mohammad Bhat joined the ‘Nimaz-e-Jinazah’ (prayer before burial) and led the wreath-laying ceremony.

“This saga of sacrifice has been going on for a very long time. We have lost many diamonds in this fight against terrorism and we are proud of the sacrifices,” the officer said.

He said the fight against terrorism would continue till the Pakistan-sponsored menace is completely defeated. “This is the message of our bravehearts and it is our responsibility to take this fight to the conclusion,” the DIG said.

Bodies of Chib and Jaswant Singh were also cremated with full honours, with mourners condemning Pakistan and hailing the bravery of the fallen personnel. The villagers remembered the slain policemen as kind-hearted individuals, vowing that their sacrifices would not go in vain.