Funeral prayers for Group Captain Asim Tariq Shaheed, who embraced Shahadat while courageously intervening to rescue a woman in distress in Islamabad, were offered on Tuesday.
The martyred officer was laid to rest with full military honours in recognition of his exceptional courage, selfless devotion and unwavering sense of duty, said a news release issued by Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR).
Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI (M), HJ, Chief of the Air Staff, attended the funeral prayers along with senior officers, airmen and a large gathering of civil community to pay final respects to the valiant officer and honour his supreme sacrifice.
Chief of the Air Staff paid rich tribute to Group Captain Asim Tariq Shaheed, stating that the sacrifice epitomizes the finest traditions of the Pakistan Air Force and the Armed Forces of Pakistan, the news release said.
He observed that by laying down his life while protecting an innocent citizen, the martyred officer demonstrated that the men and women of the Pakistan Air Force remain steadfast in their commitment not only to safeguarding the nation’s frontiers, but also to protecting the lives, dignity and honour of their fellow countrymen.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif paid tribute to martyred PAF officer. He prayed for the elevation of the martyr’s ranks and expressed condolences to the bereaved family.
The prime minister said the accused had been arrested and would be brought to justice in accordance with the law.
He also lauded the sacrifices of the country’s security forces in the fight against terrorism, referring to the recent killing of 15 terrorists in Balochistan.
At a press conference on Sunday night, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Ali Nasir Rizvi said the suspect was arrested within nine hours of the incident.
He said the woman and the suspect worked at a cash and carry outlet in G-6, and he sometimes picked and dropped her off. After picking her up on Sunday, the suspect wanted to take the woman to a park or some other location. The woman resisted, leading him to stop the motorcycle at 9th Avenue.