'Udhampur attackers were from Pak'

The Indian government on Thursday said preliminary interrogation of the captured Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist showed that the attackers in Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir belonged to Pakistan even as Islamabad dared New Delhi to produce proof of its involvement in the Wednesday’s attack.

Speaking in Parliament, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh condemned Pakistan’s “persistent attempts” to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir.

“Preliminary interrogation of the captured terrorist reveals his identity as Mohd Naveed Yakub alias Usman, a resident of Faisalabad (Pakistan). He also revealed the identity of his slain accomplice as Mohd Nomen alias Nomin (code name), a resident of Bhawalpur, Pakistan,” Singh said.

“We are confident that interrogation of the apprehended terrorist will reveal their modus operandi, including the details of their infiltration from across the border and their targets,” he said.

Two BSF personnel were killed on Wednesday when two LeT terrorists attacked a Srinagar-bound convoy on the Jammu-Srinagar highway. In the ensuing gun battle, Nomen was killed while Naveed, who escaped first, was caught later.

Pakistan denies

On its part, Pakistan rejected India’s assertion that Naved is a Pakistani and asked India to refrain from making “accusations”.

“We have said many a times that making immediate accusations on Pakistan is not correct. These things should be based on facts. We expect that whenever Pakistan is being accused of something, it will be accompanied with correct evidence,” Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson Syed Qazi Khalilullah said in Islamabad.

Two AK-47 rifles along with some magazines, grenades and ammunition were recovered from the terrorists, Singh said, adding an FIR has been registered at the Chenani Police Station under relevant sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Singh said security forces, including the BSF, Jammu and Kashmir Police and CRPF have shown exemplary courage in thwarting the attack with minimum casualties.

Besides the ex-gratia compensation and jobs to be provided to the families of the martyred BSF personnel, the government will also consider them and others who displayed courage and bravery in the incident for immediate award of the gallantry medal.

Villagers praised

“We especially salute the courage of the unarmed villagers, who, despite grave risk to their lives overpowered a fully armed militant without consideration for their own security. We will take up the matter with the state government for suitably recognising their conspicuous act of valour,” Singh said.

“The government remains committed to combating terrorism with a strong resolve and ensuring the safety and security of our citizens and our security personnel,” he added.