RAWALPINDI: Funeral prayers for Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Group Captain Asim Tariq Shaheed, who was martyred while courageously intervening to rescue a woman in distress in Islamabad, were offered on Tuesday, the military’s media wing said.
The martyred officer was laid to rest with full military honours in recognition of his exceptional courage, selfless devotion and unwavering sense of duty.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, attended the funeral prayers along with senior officers, airmen, and a large gathering of the civil community to pay final respects to the valiant officer and honour his supreme sacrifice, the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said.
Chief of the Air Staff paid rich tribute to Group Captain Asim Tariq Shaheed, stating that the sacrifice epitomises the finest traditions of the Pakistan Air Force and the Armed Forces of Pakistan.
He observed that by laying down his life while protecting an innocent citizen, the martyred officer demonstrated that the men and women of the Pakistan Air Force remain steadfast in their commitment not only to safeguarding the nation’s frontiers, but also to protecting the lives, dignity and honour of their fellow countrymen.
Group Captain Asim Tariq Shaheed was martyred near Shaheen Chowk in Islamabad after intervening to rescue a woman in distress on Sunday. The group captain intervened, enabling the woman to reach safety before he was shot.
On Monday, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the martyrdom of Group Captain Asim Tariq.
In separate statements, the prime minister and president praised the officer’s courage and sacrifice, describing his actions as an exemplary display of bravery, devotion to duty, and public service.
PM Sharif said Group Captain Asim Tariq laid down his life while protecting the life and honour of a woman, setting “an unparalleled example of courage, bravery and devotion to duty.” He said the nation would always remember and honour the sacrifices of such brave sons.
President Zardari also expressed profound grief over the officer’s death and offered condolences to his family in a post on X. He said sacrificing one’s life to protect an innocent woman reflected the highest human values and was a shining example of service to the nation.
