Jammu: Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday
demanded the country's highest gallantry award for the young
girl from their community who killed a top Lashker-e-Toiba
militant in Rajouri district recently.
"She has done our community proud. We urge President
Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Union
Home Minister P Chidambaram to honour the brave girl with the
highest gallantry award of the country", Tribal Foundation
Secretary Dr Javaid Rahi told reporters here.
22-year-old Ruksana killed a top Pakistani militant of
the LeT and injured another at Kalsian village, about 217 km
from here on the night of September 27.
A letter signed by top Gujjar leaders has been sent to
the President, PM and Union Home Minister, urging them to
recognise this "rarest, unmatched and extraordinary act of
courage of a fearless young Gujjar girl", Rahi said, adding
that the remote village girl deserved a national honour.
Rukhsana, along with her sibling, overpowered a LeT
terrorist, snatched his rifle and fired at him, killing him on
the spot.
The Governor N N Vohra said yesterday that he wanted to
recommend the girl for the gallantry award.
The state government has provided Rs 5,000 as reward and
police protection to the young girl and her family.
The Gujjars also demanded that an exclusive Gujjar
regiment be raised in the Indian Army taking into account the
community's patriotism and the valour with which it has fought
militancy in the state, Rahi said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Wednesday, September 30, 2009, 18:21