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A militant was caught alive after an attack on a BSF convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway in Udhampur on Wednesday in which two jawans were killed.
The militant captured (centre)was identified as Usman Khan and believed to be from Pakistan.
The militant, who had taken three persons hostage in a school at a nearby village, was arrested after an operation was launched by the army and the police.
“Police have got hold of one of the terrorists. Capturing him alive is a big achievement,” IG Jammu, Danish Rana said.
The captured militant told security forces that his name is Usman and that he is from Faislabad in Pakistan, Rana told NDTV.
The 20 year old , clad casually in black shirt and brown trousers, looked relaxed and even smiled as he was being led away by security personnel.
He was caught on camera telling the police that he and fellow militants crossed the border into India 12 days ago, and that he launched the attack for ‘revenge’.
He also said that after crossing the border, they ran out of food in three days and had to break into someone’s house to steal food.
Usman was taken away for further questioning on who his handlers were and on the route he took to cross the border.
Some reports said the militant was overpowered by two of the villagers whom he held hostage.
One of the villagers, Rakesh Kumar, told ANI that the militant asked them at gunpoint to take him to a safe place, but they misled him .
“He was hungry, so we stopped. There we got together, forced him to the ground and unarmed him,” added Vikramjit Singh, who too was among the hostages.
The other militant was shot dead in the attack which began around 7.30 am and lasted for five hours. The militants hurled grenades and opened fire on the convoy when it reached Samroli near Udhampur on its way from Jammu to Srinagar.
Army and police rushed to the spot and the entire area was cordoned off immediately after the firing began.
The injured have been taken to a hospital, IG Rana said, adding massive combing operations have been launched in nearby areas. Vehicular movement on the highway was stopped following the attack.
Home minister Rajnath Singh said there was no link between the attack and Amarnath pilgrims passing the area..
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah said this is the first attack in that area in several years. “This attack signifies the failure of the government as it took place at a spot which had become militancy-free,” he told reporters
The militant strike was the first in Udhampur district in over a decade coming days after terrorists attacked Dinanagar Police Station in Gurdaspur in Punjab.
It also comes at a time of increased ceasefire violations by Pakistan across the LoC and International Border.
One woman was injured on Wednesday morning in a fresh round of firing by Pakistan Rangers in Sabjiyan sector along the LoC in Poonch. The firing targeted civilian areas in the sector.
On Tuesday, one person died and two others were injured in firing along the International Border in Pargwal and RS pura in Jammu district.
India and Pakistan are reportedly scheduled to hold their first National Security Adviser-level talks on August 23-24, where the focus would be on ending cross-border terror.
Congress in-charge for Jammu and Kashmir Ambika Soni said it was futile to hold talks with Pakistan during an increase in hostilities.
“Ever since the new government has come in, there have been attacks happening every day. It is impossible for people to live on the border along Rajouri, Poonch and other areas bordering Pakistan,” she said.
“Earlier, it was when (Ajmal) Kasab was captured and yesterday their own officer had told where he was trained, how they (terrorists) went in the boat and how they changed the paint of the boat, ” he said.
BJP spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said it was rare that a terrorist has been capture alive after an attack and it was a big achievement for the government and for the forces.
“Because now this can be used as an evidence before international agencies. This will give proper detailing to our security forces also. And Pakistan that keepS denying its involvement in such incidents needs to face the truth now,” she said.
According to the army, 17 terrorists have been killed so far this year while trying to infiltrate.
News Courtesy-Hindustan times
