Chaudhry Aslam Khan
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Chaudhry Aslam Khan Swati. A name synonymous with courage, a Pakistani police officer who stood as a bulwark against the rising tide of terror. From 2005 to 2014, he fearlessly confronted and neutralized terrorists, gang lords, target killers, and extortionists. His relentless pursuit spanned across notorious groups like the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, the Balochistan Liberation Army, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan. His life, dedicated to justice, was tragically cut short on January 9, 2014, in a bomb blast orchestrated by the TTP.
Born in 1963 in the serene village of Arghushal, Mansehra District, Aslam's journey began with his move to Karachi after completing his early education. He hailed from the Arghushal clan, a proud sub-clan of the Swati ethnic group.
His career in the Sindh Police force commenced in 1984 as an Assistant Sub-Inspector. He served with distinction across various police stations in Karachi and Balochistan. From 1992 to 1994, and again from 1996 to 1997, he honed his skills as an encounter specialist. After a period of suspension, he returned in 2004 with a renewed mandate: to eradicate target killers. Later, he was entrusted with the formidable task of leading the Lyari Task Force, tasked with bringing an end to the brutal gang warfare plaguing Lyari Town. In 2010, Aslam ascended to head the Investigation Wing of the Criminal Investigation Department. His unwavering commitment and exceptional performance shone brightest during the 2012 'Lyari grand operation,' a decisive campaign to cleanse the area of criminal elements.
In 2012, Aslam faced a direct threat, escaping unhurt from a Taliban attack on his Karachi home. A suicide bomber detonated a truck bomb at his gate, claiming eight lives. The TTP, retaliating for his successful operations against them, claimed responsibility. Despite his home being devastated, Aslam's resolve remained unbroken. He declared that this attack would not deter him from his mission, vowing to bury the extremists in the same ground.
On January 9, 2014, Chaudhry Aslam Khan Swati, along with two fellow officers, his guard, and driver, met their end when a bomb targeted his convoy on the Lyari Expressway in Karachi. The banned TTP's Mohmand Agency chapter once again claimed responsibility, citing Aslam's role in killing Taliban prisoners and his position at the top of their hit list. Years later, in 2017, Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national arrested for alleged spying and terrorism, confessed in a video that Aslam's assassination was orchestrated by an Indian intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, under the direction of Anil Dhasmana. However, this video faced criticism from the Indian side, with claims of it being doctored and coerced.
The nation mourned the loss of a true hero. Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif hailed Chaudhry Aslam and the other fallen officers as martyrs, asserting that such attacks would not waver the resolve of law enforcement agencies. Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, through the Inter-Services Public Relations, acknowledged the vital contributions of police and other law enforcement agencies in the fight against terror, paying a heartfelt tribute to Aslam for his ultimate sacrifice. Altaf Hussain, chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan, also condemned the killings, recognizing Aslam's bravery in combating terrorists and criminals.
Intriguingly, a 2017 investigation into Aslam's death revealed a shocking betrayal: his own driver and bodyguard was complicit, informing terrorists of his movements.
The indomitable spirit of Chaudhry Aslam Khan Swati inspired a cinematic tribute. In 2019, it was announced that an action movie, "Chaudhry - The Martyr," based on his life, would be released, directed by Azeem Sajjad. The film finally graced the screens in 2022, with Chaudhry Tariq Islam, Aslam's cousin and a fellow police officer, portraying his role. The director emphasized Tariq's deep understanding of Aslam's demeanor, a testament to their long working relationship. The life of this brave officer will also be depicted by Sanjay Dutt in the upcoming Indian film "Dhurandhar."
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Chaudhary Aslam Khan Swati was a Pakistani police officer. From 2005 to 2014 Aslam arrested and killed terrorists, gangwar-criminals, target killers and extortionists belonging to the Muhajir Qoumi MovementTehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), TMP, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LJ), Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP). On 9 January 2014, he was killed in a bomb blast carried out by the TTP.
== Early life ==
Aslam was born in 1963 to Advocate Akram Khan Swati in Village Council Arghushal of Union council Dhodial, Mansehra District, Hazara Division and moved to Karachi with his father after completing his primary education. He belonged to the Arghushal clan, a sub-clan of the Swati ethnic group.
== Police career ==
Aslam joined the Sindh Police force in 1984 as an Assistant sub-inspector and served in several police stations across Karachi and in Balochistan due to provincial allocation. Aslam worked as an encounter specialist from 1992 to 1994 and 1996 to 1997. He was suspended then came back to service in 2004 and received the task of eradicating target killers. Later he was ordered to lead the LTF (Lyari Task Force) and end the gang war in Lyari Town.
In 2010, Aslam was appointed as head of the Investigation Wing in the Criminal Investigation Department.
Aslam won himself a reputation for his performance in the 2012 'Lyari grand operation' which once again aimed at clearing the area of criminals.
=== 2011 attack by Taliban ===
In 2012, he escaped unhurt from a Taliban attack on his house in the Defence Phase VIII area of Karachi. The attack, in which a suicide bomber detonated a truck bomb at his front gate, resulted in the death of eight people. TTP claimed responsibility for the attack as retaliation for ongoing efforts against them, including the arrest and killing of many of the terrorist organisation's members. At that time Aslam, whose home was half blown away by the blast, defiantly said he knew he was the target but it would not deter him from fighting against extremists and that he would bury them in the same ground.
== Assassination ==
On 9 January 2014 Aslam died, along with two other officers, his guard and driver, when a bomb targeted his convoy on the Lyari expressway in Karachi. The Mohmand Agency chapter of the banned TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. Sajjad Mohmand, a spokesman for the militant group, said Aslam was targeted for carrying out operations against the TTP. "Aslam was involved in killing Taliban prisoners in CID cells in Karachi and was on the top of our hit-list," he said.
In 2017 Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national arrested in Balochistan on allegations of spying and terrorism, confessed in a video released by the Director General of the ISPR that the assassination of Aslam was sponsored by an Indian intelligence agency the Research Analysis Wing, on the directions of Anil Dhasmana. The validity of the video has been criticised by the Indian side, claiming it to be doctored and forced upon Jadhav.
=== Reactions to his death ===
Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif praised Chaudhry Aslam and the other officers killed as martyrs and said that such attacks will not deter the law enforcement agencies in their fight against terrorism.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) issued a statement made by Army Chief General Raheel Sharif, acknowledging the contributions of police and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) in the fight against terror, and paying tribute to Aslam for laying down his life in the line of duty.
Then Muttahida Qaumi Movement – Pakistan (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain also condemned the killing of Aslam and his two colleagues. "SSP Chaudhry Aslam was active in fighting against terrorists who are carrying out subversive activities in Pakistan. He conducted operations against terrorists and criminal elements bravely", Altaf Hussain said.
=== 2017 death investigation ===
Investigators in Karachi who were probing the death of Aslam revealed that his own driver/bodyguard was involved in the murder. The investigation team stated that the driver/bodyguard informed the terrorists of Aslams motorcades movement.
== Biopic ==
In 2019 it was announced that an action movie based on his life would be released, Chaudhry - The Martyr, directed by Azeem Sajjad. The movie was finally released in 2022.
Chaudhry's role was played by his cousin Chaudhry Tariq Islam, who hails from the same village, is a Deputy superintendent of police (DSP) himself, and worked with Khan for over thirty years; the director acknowledged he had cast him because he's "well versed with [Khan's] body language, gestures, attitude and reflexes." His character will be played by Sanjay Dutt in the Indian movie Dhurandhar.
== See also ==
Deaths in 2014
Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2014
Safwat Ghayur
== References ==
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