A retired Pakistan Railways employee from Attock lost his life on Monday after intercepting a suspected suicide bomber near a sensitive security checkpoint in the inter-provincial border area between Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Liaqat Ali, a resident of Mankor village in Jand tehsil, Attock district, spotted a suspicious individual moving through agricultural fields near the Jand and Khushal Garh Bridge area. According to security sources, he confronted the man and asked for identification. The suspect, described by officials as a Fitna al-Khawarij terrorist, panicked and detonated his explosives. Liaqat was killed on the spot. The attacker also died in the blast.
Security sources said the bomber was attempting to reach a sensitive checkpoint in the inter-provincial belt. His intervention, officials said, prevented what could have been a large-scale attack on both the security installation and civilians in the surrounding area.
Maryam Nawaz, President Zardari and PM Shehbaz Pay Tribute to Attock Martyr
The incident drew swift responses from Pakistan’s top leadership. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz paid tribute to Liaqat, describing his sacrifice as one that would always be remembered. She also praised the Attock police team deployed at the Khushal Garh check post for their response and said every possible step would be taken to ensure the protection of Punjab and the safety of its citizens.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also issued separate statements honoring Liaqat. Both said he had acted as a responsible citizen by stopping the terrorist and questioning him.
President Zardari said civilians like Liaqat were a shining example of national resilience and collective awareness against terrorism. The president and prime minister prayed for the family and for the elevation of Liaqat’s ranks as a martyr.
Retired Railways Employee Liaqat Ali Hailed as Hero in Jand Terror Foiling
Liaqat Ali was a retired employee of Pakistan Railways and was widely known in his community in Mankor village. Security officials described him as a man whose sense of duty and alertness played a direct role in protecting security personnel and local residents from serious harm.
The Jand and Khushal Garh bridge area sits along a strategically significant corridor linking Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The zone has seen militant activity in recent years, with security forces maintaining checkpoints along key transit routes in the region.
The Attock police team present at the Khushal Garh check post at the time of the incident also received official recognition for their response.
No further details about the identity of the attacker have been released by security authorities. An investigation into the incident is ongoing, according to initial reports.
