JAMMU: BSF today paid homage to martyred jawans Rockey and Subhendu, who not only laid down their lives fighting militants involved in the Udhampur terror attack but also averted major casualties.
BSF Inspector General, Jammu Frontier, Rakesh Sharma led the force in paying tributes to the jawans at the headquarters of the paramilitary here. Besides Sharma, top officers and jawans of the force laid wreaths on the bodies of the slain jawans amid shouts of "Rockey-Subhendu amar rahay" (long live Rockey and Subhendu).
Saluting the bravery of the valiant soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the terror attack, the BSF men played the last post. The bodies of the two martyrs were then carried to flower-laden trucks for their final journey to their native places in Haryana and West Bengal. "Last rites of the martyrs with full military honours will be performed at their native places Haryana and West Bengal", the IG BSF told reporters.
Rockey and Subhendu Roy laid down their lives while fighting terrorists during an attack on a BSF convoy on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway in Udhampur district yesterday. A Pakistani militant was killed while another Pakistan terrorist was captured alive during the attack in which 13 BSF jawans were injured. "Yesterday, our convoy was attacked by terrorists. We lost two brave soldiers. One of them was Rockey, who not only stopped a terrorist from entering the bus but despite being injured killed the terrorist", the IG said.
"Because of his active role and alertness, other lives of BSF jawans were saved.It was gallant act of Rockey. We salute him for his bravery", he said. "His second fellow Subhendu, who was also sitting in the bus, also tried to stop the terrorists but because the volume of the fire was so heavy, he received bullets.But despite that he tried to save other jawans by laying down his life," he said.
Asked which route was used by the militants to cross over to J&K from Pakistan, Sharma said, "It is matter of investigation. Interrogation is being done by J&K Police. I cannot say anything on that definitely. He is changing his statements frequently". Asked if the militants intended to attack the Amarnath yatra convoy, he said, "One terrorist has been captured alive and I hope to get some facts out".
He said the best possible security measures have been taken along the IB and it is not easy to cross over to this side from IB. Asked if the BSF was the target, he said it was just chance and the force was not the main target of terrorists.
"They were looking for a target and BSF convoy passed and it was targeted," he said.