Summary Air chief leads tribute to the fallen hero
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Funeral prayers for Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Group Captain Asim Tariq, who embraced martyrdom while trying to rescue a woman in Islamabad, were offered on Tuesday before he 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 alongside senior PAF officers, airmen and a large gathering of civilians to pay their final respects to the fallen officer.
Paying tribute, the Air Chief said Group Captain Asim Tariq's sacrifice reflected the finest traditions of the Pakistan Air Force and the Armed Forces of Pakistan. He said the officer laid down his life while protecting an innocent citizen, demonstrating that PAF personnel remain committed not only to defending the country's frontiers but also to safeguarding the lives, dignity and honour of fellow citizens.
The fatal incident took place last Sunday near Shaheen Chowk on Islamabad's Ninth Avenue. According to police, Group Captain Asim Tariq was travelling to Rawalpindi for an official assignment when he noticed a man allegedly trying to force a woman onto a motorcycle. The officer made a U-turn and intervened after identifying himself, but the suspect opened fire, fatally wounding him.
Police said the woman and the suspect, identified as Saad Abbasi, worked together. Investigators alleged that he had offered her a lift but diverted from the intended route, triggering an argument before the officer stepped in to help.
Islamabad Inspector General Ali Nasir Rizvi said the suspect was arrested within nine hours following an extensive operation involving 11 police teams, Safe City surveillance cameras, CCTV footage and digital tracking.
The accused was produced before an anti-terrorism court on Monday, which ordered a 14-day judicial remand to facilitate an identification parade. The court directed authorities to submit a report after completing the process and fixed July 20 for the next hearing.
