HÀ NỘI — A solemn funeral for three police officers who were killed in Đồng Tâm Commune during a protest against authorities was held on Thursday in Hà Nội.

Leaders of the State, Party and ministries, as well as a great number of residents from different provinces and cities across the country paid tribute to the police officers during the funeral, which was held at the National Funeral Home, 5 Trần Thánh Tông Street.

A group of villagers attacked soldiers building a wall at the Miếu Môn Airport in Đồng Tâm Commune, Mỹ Đức District, early last Thursday.

Several protesters used grenades, petrol bombs and weapons to attack police officers.

The clash ended with three police officers and one protester killed, while another protester was injured.

The three police officers were Senior Lieutenant-Colonel Nguyễn Huy Thịnh, 48, Captain Phạm Công Huy, 27, and Senior Lieutenant Dương Đức Hoàng Quân, 26.

For their bravery in protecting the nation’s security and people’s lives, they were posthumously awarded the Feat of Arms Order by President Nguyễn Phú Trọng, and certificates for their great contribution to the nation by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

Writing in the book of remembrance, PM Phúc said that Thịnh, Huy and Quân were brave police officers who laid down their lives for the nation and the people.

The three officers are good examples for the armed forces to follow, said the PM.

Also in the book of remembrance, Minister of Public Security Tô Lâm wrote that the ministry and the whole armed forces deeply regretted the deaths of the three police officers.

Their deaths were a great loss for the People’s Police and their families, he said.

Their bravery and determination to protect the nation’s security and people’s lives demonstrated the heroic and glorious traditions of the People’s Police forces, said Lâm.

It was also motivation for all of the armed forces to continue fulfilling their task, he said.

The Ministry of Public Security has launched a campaign to promote the three police officers’ brave spirit for the nation’s security. — VNS