Cadet martyred in Lakki Marwat mosque attack: ISPR

A 19-year-old army cadet was martyred when armed terrorists opened fire on a mosque during evening prayers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Lakki Marwat district on Friday.

According to a press release from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Cadet Arif Ullah was offering prayers in the mosque when the attack took place.

 “As soon as Khawarij started firing, he (Arif Ullah) immediately responded and fought the khawarij bravely,” the press release stated. “However, during the incident, Gentleman Cadet Arif Ullah embraced Shahadat, sacrificing his life, while saving many innocent lives of worshippers.”

The cadet was undergoing training in Kakul, but had returned to his hometown of Lakki Marwat on leave. “Such a heinous and cowardly act of attacking worshippers in the mosque while praying reflects the true ideology of these Khawarij,” the release read. “The valiant act of a young Cadet is a testament of spirit of sacrifice and dedication of Security Forces personnel to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices further strengthen our resolve,” the ISPR said.

Homage to hero

President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi paid rich tributes to PMA Kakul cadet Arif for embracing martyrdom.

In their separate statements, they said the martyred cadet set an example of courage and bravery by thwarting the cowardly attack on innocent worshippers. The cadet, who was on leave, could not tolerate innocent citizens becoming victims of terrorism, they maintained.

In his statement, the prime minister said the spirit of patriotism and loyalty to the homeland exhibited by the Pakistan Army was unmatched anywhere in the world. He said terrorists should be well aware of the brave young men they are trying to confront.

President Asif Ali Zardari said that the dedication and commitment of the martyred cadet serve as a guiding light for the younger generation. He added the martyrs and their families are a source of pride for the entire nation, including himself. “The Pakistani nation can never forget the sacrifices of its martyrs.”

The interior minister expressed commitment to continue the fight against terrorism, saying the nation stand by the armed forces in the war against terrorism. 

With brave young men like Cadet Arif Ullah Shaheed, terrorists will never succeed in their malicious designs to spread chaos in our homeland, he added. He prayed for the elevation of ranks of the martyr in Jannah and grant of courage to the bereaved family members to bear the loss with equanimity.