Islamabad: Former President Asif Ali Zardari has condemned the assassination of Superintendent Elite Police of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Khairul Khateeb in Swabi by militants.

The senior police officer who was posted in Bannu was shot dead in a targeted attack by militants when he was on a visit to his home town Swabi the other day.

In a condolence message the former President said that the ultimate sacrifice rendered by SP Kahirul Khateeb had immortalized him in the annals of provincial police in its fight against terrorist.

Khairul Khatib has joined the ranks of long list of senior and junior police officer of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa who have added new chapters of glory and sacrifice in the police force of the province, he said adding also that their sacrifices will never go in vain.

Every targeted killing and every police officer who embraces martyrdom only serves to strengthen the nation's and police force's resolve to fight the militants to the finish.

The nation salutes its brave police officers and men who have shed their blood so that the nation lives in peace. They are the true heroes and heroines of the nation and we salute their valor, courage and sacrifice.

The former President expressed the hope that institutional mechanisms were in place to look after the families of martyred officers and men of law enforcing agencies.

He prayed for eternal rest to the soul of Kahirul Khatib and patience to the members of the bereaved family to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.