Another Ajmal Kasab; Captured Pakistani terrorist says 'it's fun doing this'

Udhampur: "It's fun doing this," said Usman, a suspected Lashker-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist from Pakistan who was caught alive after the attack on a Border Security Force (BSF) convoy in Jammu's Udhampur that killed two constables.

This is the first Pakistani terrorist to be captured alive after Ajmal Kasab, who was nabbed during the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008.

"I came to kill Hindus," said Usman, dressed in a dark blue shirt and brown trousers, with a relaxed demeanour. He also alleged that Kashmiris were being killed all the time. "I am from Pakistan and my partner was killed in the firing but I escaped. Had I been killed, it would have been Allah's doing. There is fun in doing this," Usman said. Initially, he said that he was in his early twenties but later claimed that he was only 16. He had been changing his statements. First he identified himself as Kasim and later as Usman.

This has been the tactics of banned Lashkar group sending youngsters to Jammu and Kashmir with the direction that in case they were caught, they should claim to be below 18 years so that they are tried as juveniles.

Attack worrying, says Omar Abdullah

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the attack on a BSF convoy in Udhampur was a "worrying development" as the area had remained free from militancy for a long time.

"An attack on this stretch of the NH (National Highway) after a very long time. Worrying development because area was militant free," Abdullah wrote on micro-blogging site Twitter.

The attack, which comes days after terror struck Dinanagar of Punjab, is the first in the district in over a decade. Udhampur was one of the four districts of J&K from where the Omar Abdullah-led state government wanted the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act to be revoked citing considerable improvement in the situation. The other districts were Srinagar and Budgam in Kashmir Valley and Jammu district in Jammu region.

Meanwhile, violating the ceasefire for the eleventh time this month, Pakistani troops resorted to heavy firing and mortar shelling on forward posts and hamlets along the Line of Control (LoC) in Poonch district, leaving a woman injured.

Centre warned 2 months back

The Union Home Ministry had warned the J&K Police more than two months ago about a possible attack on the Udhampur highway where terrorists opened fire today at a Border Security Force convoy, sources have said.

Sources said since the first inputs given to the J&K police at the end of May, multiple advisories were sent both by the Home Ministry and the Intelligence Bureau that Udhampur was a possible target. The attack has heightened concerns as this stretch of the highway is often used by pilgrims headed to Amarnath. It was last attacked 15 years ago. The Pakistan army says it has reviewed its operational plans and is "ready to meet any aggression from India".

The Dawn reports: "We are fully prepared to respond to entire spectrum of threat," Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif said while chairing a corps commanders' conference at the General Headquarters.

Details of big catch

1. Identity: The name of the captured fugitive is Quasim Khan. He also goes by the alias Naved Usman. His father’s name is Mohammad Yakub.

2. Age: Usman is 20-22 years.

3. Nationality: From Faisalabad, Pak.

4. Terrorist outfit: Usman owes allegiance to the banned terrorist outfit Lashkar-e-Taiyyaba (L-e-T) which is based in Pakistan.

5. Languages: Can speak Urdu and Punjabi.

6. Entry into India: Usman had entered India twelve days ago. He has reportedly confessed that he had not entered through the border but through the jungles.

7. Motive: Usman has revealed that he does not get paid for what he does. He also revealed that he and his partner had been instructed to kill. He reportedly believed that he was working for Allah and he really enjoyed his job.

8. Hostages: Usman had taken five villagers hostage, out of which three ran away and the remaining two helped capture him. He had taken the villagers as hostages, not with the intent of harming them but just wanted the villagers to help him find his way out of the village.

9. Capture: Usman was overpowered inside a school by his hostages and was handed over to the security forces. A recent update has revealed that he was under the influence of drugs when he attacked the BSF convoy.

10. Weapons: One AK-47 has been found with Usman. The capture of Quasim Khan alias Usman is being hailed as a big achievement since he is the first terrorist who has been captured alive after Ajmal Kasab, seven years ago. Khan will be reportedly taken to Delhi for further interrogation. Further details about decisions relating his fate are yet to come out.