Saudi Gazette report
MAKKAH — Relatives of a Saudi soldier who was killed in a terrorist attack 13 years ago hope that they would witness justice when the murderer of their beloved son will be finally executed, Al-Madinah newspaper reported on Sunday.
Fahd Abdullah Saeed Waznah was shot dead during an anti-terror operation in Al-Khalidiyah District of Makkah on June 14, 2014.
"Fahd was a true soldier who stood for his country," Waznah's mother said of his martyred son.
“It was an unforgettable day. It was a Saturday and my son was part of an operation to capture a group of terrorists hiding in Makkah. The terrorists shot and killed several officers, including my son,” said the distraught mother.
Security officers surrounded the Al-Attas apartment building in Al-Khalidiyah District of Makkah around 9.30 p.m. on June 14, 2003, after information that a group of terrorists had holed up there and preparing to launch a terrorist attack in the city.
During the raid, the terrorists opened heavy gunfire on the security officers and civilians around the building. The officers responded to the firing, killing five of the terrorists. Five others were captured.
Capt. Yassir Bin Hasabullah Al-Mulad and officer Fahd Bin Abdullah Waznah were martyred in the attack. Five policemen and four citizens sustained injuries.
The terrorists had rigged the apartment with explosives and security officials found 72 bombs of various sizes, a number of submachine guns, other weapons, live ammunition, cleavers, communication devices, chemical materials for making explosives and head masks, according to official media reports at the time.
Waznah's mother said the Ministry of Justice announced that it would execute 52 terrorists and her son’s murderer was one of them.
“I never dropped a single tear for my son even though I am devastated by his losing him. But I am proud that he died defending his country. I know that he is in Heaven. I am thankful for the efforts our government is putting in to combatting terrorism,” she said.
Fahd's brother Saeed Waznah said his brother would never be forgotten.
“Although the incident happened 13 years ago, it still feels like it happened yesterday. He was always a friendly person. He would greet anyone on his way. He would make sure we are happy and satisfied before he went to work every day,” said the brother.
Saeed said the family heard of the news of Fahd's death from his friend.
“We couldn't believe any human being is capable of such cruelty. How can they dismiss the Prophet’s will for Muslims to never kill Muslims and call their actions in the name of Allah. We have so many unanswered questions and we know they will never be answered. All what we can do is to believe that my brother is in a happier place right now,” said the brother.
Saeed his brother had three young children who ask them every day when would their father come back home.
“We would try to console them. They have to know that their father is in Heaven and that he is a martyr who died for a great cause. We take care of them and their mother. The government has always supported them financially,” said the brother.
Saeed said his nephews were now finishing undergraduate studies and have grown up to become confident citizens.
Faisal Fahd Waznah, one of the martyr’s sons, said he was happy to see his father’s murderer executed.
“I was only 10 years old when the news of my father’s death came to us. Terrorists killed my father and his death is unforgettable. My father died for the country and the government has always supported us and provided for us,” said the son.
He also said he was completing his undergraduate studies and would become a police officer, following in the footsteps of his father.
“I want to be a police officer just like my father. I want to serve my country like him. We all miss him and we will always miss him. He was the light in our lives."
