Khyber SHO martyred in clash with vehicle smugglers

Khyber SHO martyred in clash with vehicle smugglers

Malagori Police Station SHO Riaz Hussain Afridi was martyred after sustaining critical injuries during an exchange of fire with suspected smugglers of non-customs-paid vehicles in Khyber tribal district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

According to Khyber District Police Officer (DPO) Waqar Ahmad, Afridi was leading an operation against the suspected smugglers when armed men opened fire, resulting in a gun battle. The police officer suffered serious injuries during the encounter.

Colleagues immediately evacuated the injured SHO to a hospital in Peshawar, where doctors provided emergency treatment. However, his condition remained critical and he later succumbed to his injuries.

Police officials said they recovered two non-customs-paid vehicles from the site following the exchange of fire. According to preliminary information, the vehicles were being transported towards Mohmand district through the Malagori route.

Following the incident, police launched a search operation in the surrounding area to locate and arrest those involved in the attack. Authorities said further investigation was underway to establish the circumstances of the incident and identify the suspects.

The funeral prayer of the martyred SHO was offered with full state honours at Police Lines Khyber. Senior civil and military officials, police officers, members of Afridi’s family and local residents attended the funeral to pay their respects.

Chief Secretary Shahab Ali Shah, DPO Khyber Waqar Ahmed, Deputy Commissioner Khyber Shahid Ali, military officials, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Azmat Saeed and Member of the Provincial Assembly Abdul Ghani were among those present.

Officials and mourners paid tribute to Afridi’s services and sacrifice in the line of duty. Following the funeral prayer, his body was transported to his ancestral village of Ghandi, where he was laid to rest.