NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday told the Rajya Sabha that the two terrorists, who attacked the BSF convoy in Udhampur, were indeed from Pakistan.
In a suo moto statement in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday’s attack, Rajnath strongly condemned “The persistent attempts by terrorists from across the border to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir”.
“Preliminary interrogation of the captured terrorist reveal his identity as Mohammad Naved Yakub alias Usman, a resident of Faisalabad in Pakistan. He also revealed the identity of his slain accomplice as Mohammad Nomen alias Nomin, resident of Bahawalpur, Pakistan,” he 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,” the Home Minister said. Expressing heartfelt condolences to the families of the BSF personnel killed in the attack, he said, besides the ex-gratia compensation and jobs to their families, “We will also consider them and others who displayed courage and bravery in the incident for Gallantry Medal.”
He also lauded the villagers, who risked their lives and overpowered a fully-armed militant. “We will take up the matter with the state government for suitably recognising their conspicuous act of valour,” he said.
But before he made the statement in the Upper House, which was unable to transact any business for days due to the Opposition protest, senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad in his capacity as Leader of Opposition assured that the Home Minister’s statement will not be disrupted by the Opposition members. “The attack in Udhampur is a matter of great concern. So we would welcome the statement of the Home Minister. But we want a discussion on the matter later when the House will be in order,” Azad said, which was welcomed by Deputy Chairman P J Kurein.