President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday awarded civil award “Sitara-e-Shujaat” to Liaquat Shaheed, who sacrificed his life after he confronted a suicide bomber.
The president approved the recommendation of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to a President House statement.
Liaquat, a resident of the Jand area in District Attock, embraced martyrdom after he intercepted a suspicious individual near the Khushal Garh Bridge. Upon being confronted by Liaquat, the suicide bomber detonated his explosives, resulting in Liaquat’s martyrdom.
On Tuesday, both President Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz paid tribute to Liaquat Shaheed for his exemplary valor, remembering him as a shining example of national resilience, patriotism and collective awareness against terrorism.
The president directed Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi to locate the family of Shaheed Liaquat and convey the message of complete national solidarity.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said the eternal sacrifice of Shaheed Liaquat would always be remembered as he set a noble example of extraordinary courage, sense of duty and patriotism.
“Such brave citizens are the true symbol of the national resolve against terrorism. Shaheed Liaquat’s sacrifice is a guiding light for every individual of the nation,” he added.
The Chief Minister (CM) of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz Sharif, earlier, paid tribute to the martyr of the Jand attack, who stopped a suicide bomber from entering the residential area.
While giving an official statement, the Punjab CM praised the bravery of the villager named Liaqat, a resident of Mankor village in Jand tehsil of Attock, who stopped the terrorist and sacrificed his life during the incident.
Maryam Nawaz also appreciated the efforts of the Attock Police who were deployed at the checkpost of Khushal Garh.
She said that the officers faced the whole situation with courage and bravery.
Maryam Nawaz said, “The Punjab government would continue taking all possible steps to ensure the safety and protection of citizens across the province.”
A brave citizen sacrificed his life to save local residents and a sensitive security checkpoint from a possible terrorist attack near the inter-provincial area of Jand and Khushal Garh Bridge close to Kohat.
According to the media reports, a suspicious man, believed to be a Khawarij terrorist, was moving through agricultural fields near the area when Liaqat stopped him and asked about his identity.
During the questioning, the suspected suicide bomber panicked and detonated himself.
As a result, brave citizen Liaqat embraced martyrdom on the spot, while the attacker was also killed in the explosion.
Initial reports suggested that the terrorist intended to reach a sensitive checkpoint located in the inter-provincial area, but Liaqat’s timely courage prevented a major tragedy and possible loss of many lives.
Shaheed Liaqat was a retired employee of Pakistan Railways.
Officials said the martyr stood like a wall of steel against the enemy and not only protected the checkpoint but also saved many precious lives in the surrounding area.
The incident reflects ongoing attempts by Khawarij militants, allegedly backed by Afghan Taliban elements, to target civilians and security personnel.
However, security forces, police, and brave citizens continue to foil such attempts with courage and sacrifice.
Locals and officials paid tribute to Shaheed Liaqat, saying the nation would never forget his sacrifice and bravery.
