Cadet martyred in Lakki Marwat mosque attack

Lakki Marwat: Khwarij attacked a mosque in district Lakki Marwat during Maghrib prayers on Friday, martyring a military cadet.

According to ISPR, under training gentleman at Pakistan Military Academy Kakul, Cadet Arif Ullah, who was on leave at his hometown, was also present there, offering prayers in the same mosque.

As soon as Khwarij started firing, he immediately responded and fought the khwarij bravely. However, during the incident, nineteen-year-old gentleman Cadet Arif Ullah embraced martyrdom sacrificing his life, while saving many innocent lives of worshippers.

Such a heinous and cowardly act of attacking worshippers in the mosque while praying reflects the true ideology of these khwarijs.

The valiant act of a young Gentleman Cadet is a testament of the 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.

President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the attack on a mosque in Lakki Marwat.

In a statement, he paid tributes to PMA cadet Arif Ullah, who embraced martyrdom in the attack and lost his life in the attack.

The President said our religion does not allow carrying out attacks on places of worship and mosques. He said attacking the places of worship is a very cowardly and un-Islamic act.

The President also prayed for high ranks of the martyr and granting fortitude to the bereaved family.

Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday paid tribute to a Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) Kakul cadet Arif Ullah for embracing martyrdom while bravely fighting against the terrorists in Lakki Marwat.

In a statement, the prime minister said Cadet Arif Ullah Shaheed 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, he said adding that 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. The dedication and commitment of Cadet Arif Ullah Shaheed serve as a guiding light for the younger generation, he remarked.

The prime minister emphasized that Cadet Arif Ullah Shaheed and his family were a source of pride for the entire nation, including himself.

“The Pakistani nation can never forget the sacrifices of its martyrs.”

Expressing commitment to continue fight against the scourge of terrorism until it is completely eradicated from the country, the prime minister said the entire Pakistani nation stood shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces of Pakistan 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, PM Shehbaz said.

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.