The killing of eleven policemen in Islamabad, soon after the rally marking the first anniversary of the army action against the Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) had ended, was no doubt tragic and also significant. Earlier, newspapers had published reports about the presence of five suicide bombers in the Capital. This carnage by the suicide bomber was a grave crime which must be dealt with wisdom. The Pakistani police is paralysed due to excessive criticism and high handedness of the politicians. Relentless criticism by the media, public and the political leaders, and also the frequent attacks on the police officers by suicide bombers, has demoralised them. However, despite constant discouragement, they continue to perform their duties to the best of their abilities. The eleven valiant policemen embraced shahadat while protecting the religious scholars and the people who had attended the meeting. They died in the line of duty and deserve highest praise and acknowledgement. The people of Pakistan, must rise to the occasion, condemn the wave of atrocities by hired fanatics and warlords, and stand firmly with the police force, to enable it to perform its duty diligently. The killing of the police officials by terrorists and suicide bombers must be stopped by the power of the state. The slaughter of the law enforcement officials across the country, especially in FATA and Punjab is a great tragedy. The target killing of policemen is on the rise and militants in Waziristan and Swat have been launching suicide attacks mainly on the police and FC posts since 2005. Hundreds, if not thousands of policemen have been killed, maimed and injured during such attacks. It is about time that the nation and the media expresses remorse, grief and sorrow over the killing of these officials, and suggest ways of stopping this carnage. Undoubtedly, the police is a national asset as is the army and the other law enforcing agencies. They are highly committed provided they have an honest and good leadership. Some of them are also trained by internationally known police colleges, and groomed to do their duty with a sense of responsibility. Yet they are not provided what actually deserve. They are not even provided with the basic facilities like housing, transportation, or appropriate schooling for their children. In the urban and rural areas, equally, the conditions of the are pitiable if not atrocious. Standing at crossings for hours and foot patrolling is a torture in the blazing sun and watching them standing on roadside waiting for a free ride evokes pity and derision. The police officials are hounded and posted out on the slightest pretext. Even high police officials are not allowed to complete their tenures. Our leaders need to realise that a demoralised police cannot be expected to provide security to the public in the prevailing volatile situation. After the police targeted suicide bombing in Islamabad, seven bomb blasts rocked Karachi, killing two innocent people and injuring scores. Earlier Baitullah Mehsud had warned that he would turn the provinces of Punjab and Sindh into heaps of ash. These dangerous and provocative statements should have been taken seriously. If any notice had been taken of such bloody declarations the tragedy would not have occurred. Remember that the policemen are not gun-fodder and they must be respected. The writer is a retired air marshal and defence analyst