Jammu, Jan 31: A Jammu and Kashmir court has awarded 25 years rigorous imprisonment (RI) to a Pakistan national on charges of abetting militancy in the state. The principal sessions judge, Jammu Subhash Chander Gupta yesterday awarded 25 years ri and imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on mohammad Qasim Alias Abu Bakar in different offences. This is the first time that the court awarded 25 years RI to a Pakistan national.

Qasim, a resident of Kotli in Pakistan was nabbed by the army on December 19,1995 while trying to cross into India from the Line of Control at Dharati village and was injured in a fire.

The army recovered one ak-47 rifle, 2 magazines, 72 rounds of AK 47, one IED to be supplied to the Lashkar-e-Toiba. A case under Sections 2/3 e IMCO, 3 enemy agent ordiance 7/25/26/27 arms act was registered against him.
After hearing the prosecution, judge Gupta observed that the differences had been proved against the accused and was accordingly convicted for the commission of offences.

The judge further observed that viewing the gravity of the offence the accused deserved to be sentenced for life under Section 3 enemy agent ordinance.
However, as the accused was young and not able to cause any damage after crossing over, Qasim was awarded 10 years RI and fined Rs 10,000 under Section 3 enemy agent ordinance, the judge observed.

Under Section 14 foreigners act, the accused was further awarded five years RI and for offence under Section 7/25 arms act, the accused was awarded 10 years RI and fined Rs 10,000, the judge observed.

The court ordered that all the sentences shall run one after the other.
Bureau Report