LAHORE: Shaheed is a term that is not new for Pakistanis since the ongoing war on terror in the country had showered this honour on a number of country’s officers, cadets and personnel of the armed forces. However, despite the numerous sacrifices on our part, what we get in return is suicide attacks on citizens and now on the country’s armed forces. This is in reference to the terrorist attack on PNS Mehran in Karachi on Sunday.Lieutenant Yasir Abbas was martyred in the line of duty while fighting the terrorists during the attack. He led a group of armed personnel that made major contributions in retaliatory operation against the terrorists.A group of terrorists had entered the naval air station and started targeting equipments, damaging two P-3C Orion Surveillance aircrafts. Yasir was among the first to encounter the terrorists raiding the base and foiled their attempt to destroy navy planes. The officer promptly challenged the terrorists and naval officials said that his timely action averted further destruction of naval facilities.Yasir’s funeral was offered at Askari 10 housing society on Tuesday. Punjab Governor Latif Khosa, Punjab provincial ministers, Lahore Corps Commander Lieutenant General Rashid Mehmood, Navy Station Commander Akbar Naqi and Punjab Assembly Deputy Speaker Rana Mashhud attended the funeral prayers. A large number of people from various walks of life attended the funeral prayers and paid rich tributes to the young slain navy officer who defended the country by sacrificing his life. After the funeral, the coffin was brought to the graveyard in Askari 10. Wrapped in the national flag, the body was lowered into the grave in the presence of Yasir’s father, other relatives, and his fellow officers at PNS Mehran. A contingent of Pakistan Navy presented the guard of honour.
Floral wreaths were laid on Yasir’s grave on behalf of President Asif Ali Zardari, army chief Ashfaq Kayani, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committe, air chief, naval chief, and the Rangers DG. While talking to Media, Yasir’s father, Jaffar Abbas, said that he hoped his son’s martyrdom would not go waste and that it would be a harbinger of peace and happiness in the country.Meanwhile, Yasir’s mother Saba Jaffar said that she was proud of her martyred son. “He always wished for and wanted to earn the honour of shahadat,” she said. Abbas’s Qul are to be offered today (Wednesday) at 4:00pm in B Block mosque, Askari 10. – Dailytimes
