Photo Express
Men/Lahore: Two railway police officers were martyred in Mardan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa during an operation against illegal encroachments by the land mafia, with clear firing by the culprits.
According to a statement issued by the Railway Ministry spokesperson, the railway police in Mardan took action against illegal encroachments, during which unilateral firing was carried out by the land mafia.
As a result of the firing, two constables of the railway police were martyred, identified by the names of Muhammad Waqas and Omar Khan.
The railway administration was informed that upon receiving the information, an anti-encroachment team was immediately formed, which reached the mentioned warehouse near the railway station at nine in the morning, where the team was fired upon by the suspects.
According to the spokesperson, the railway team bravely retaliated and captured the attackers, Munir and Jamshid, against whom a case has been registered by the railway police.
It should be noted that the Railway Administration had sealed the railway warehouse in accordance with the orders of the Additional Session Judge. The occupants had filed a case in the Peshawar High Court but were not granted permission to open the warehouse. However, they had defied the orders of the Additional Session Judge and opened a side of the warehouse.
Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Railways, Aamir Ali Baloch, taking serious note of the incident, directed the Divisional Superintendent of Peshawar to conduct an inquiry into the incident. The railway spokesperson said that the railway administration stands in solidarity with the railway police and will bring the culprits to justice.
The railway spokesperson said that the anti-encroachment campaign against illegal occupations on railway lands will continue with full force until the entire railway network is free from the grip of the land mafia. We will not rest until the land mafia is completely eliminated, he added.
IG Railways expressed sorrow over the tragic incident, stating that the martyred constables are our pride, and their families will not be left alone. They will be provided full assistance according to the law.