RAWALPINDI: A wanted criminal was killed and a police official injured during an encounter in the limits of the Airport police on Friday.

The injured head constable identified as Irtfa Ali was shifted to Benazir Bhutto Hospital where he was stated to be in critical condition.

A police spokesman said a group of suspects opened fire on a police team in the area, injuring the head constable.One of the suspects identified as Dilbar was killed in the shoot-out. The spokesman said the dead suspect was involved in different robbery cases and was also an informant in an attempted murder case.

The police was present in the area for an operation during which the suspects started firing on them. Senior officers reached the spot after getting information about the incident.

A search was underway to arrest the accomplices of the dead suspect, he added.

Meanwhile, on InterpolRemembrance Day, a ceremony was held at the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) headquarters to honour the courage and sacrifices of law enforcement officers who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

The day is observed in remembrance of those who sacrificed their lives to protect the lives of others. Created by Interpol in 2019, it is a solemn reminder that every officer lost his life in the line of duty.

Every year on March 7, Interpol observes the interna-tional day to commemorate the courage, dedication and sacrifices of fallen officers worldwide.

FIA Director General Jan Mohammad led the ceremony by laying a wreath at the Martyrs`Memorial.

Speaking on the occasion, the FIA chief said March 7 was a day to pay tribute to the police martyrs who sacrificed their lives for our peace and security.

The sacrifices of the brave sons who laid down their lives for the motherland will neverbeforgotten,he said.

`Today, we pay tribute to all the martyred police officers worldwide and express solidarity with their families,` DG said.

`It is a manifestation of unity and solidarity among law enforcement agencies around the world; we pay tribute to the brave police officers around the world who sacrificed their lives to protect the public.

The courage, bravery and sense of duty of the officers who sacrificed their lives are a beaconfor us,he added.