October 1, 2009
Jammu: Gujjars in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday demanded the country’s highest gallantry award for their community girl who killed a top Lashkar-e-Taiba militant in Rajouri district recently.
“She has done our community proud. We urge President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram to honour the brave girl with the highest gallantry award of the country,” Tribal Foundation Secretary Javaid Rahi told journalists here.
Rukhsana (22) killed the militant and injured another at Kalsian village, about 217 km from here on the night of September 27.
A letter signed by top Gujjar leaders was sent to Ms. Patil, Dr. Singh and Mr. Chidambaram, urging them to recognize this “rarest, unmatched and extraordinary act of courage of a fearless young Gujjar girl,” Dr. Rahi said. She deserved a national honor for this, he added.
Rukhsana, along with her sibling, overpowered a Lashkar terrorist, snatched his rifle and fired at him, killing him on the spot.