Baghdad: Head of the Prime Minister’s Office Staff Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir al-Shammari on Friday pledged to pursue those responsible for attacks targeting state personnel and offered condolences to the families of two officers killed while performing their duties in Baghdad’s Dora district.

According to Iraqi News Agency, Al-Shammari, accompanied by a number of senior security commanders, visited the two condolence gatherings held for Brigadier General Hisham Mohammed Tala’a, director of the Public Security Police Department in Karkh, and police officer Khalid Abbas Lafta. The two were killed while carrying out their national and professional duties to enforce the law and maintain public order in southern Baghdad, the Security Media Cell said in a statement.

During the visits, Al-Shammari conveyed the condolences and sympathy of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister to the families, relatives, and loved ones of the two officers. He commended their courage and sacrifice in protecting state personnel and carrying out their official duties to uphold the authority of the law.

‘These criminal attacks will only strengthen the determination of the security and service institutions to pursue those who tamper with the country’s security,’ Al-Shammari said, according to the statement. He added that firm directives had been issued to deal decisively with anyone who targets state personnel.

The families of the two officers expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the visit and for the attention shown by the military leadership. They also said they were proud of the sacrifice and bravery their sons had shown in defending Iraq and its security.