New Delhi: While Indian authorities are hailing the arrest of terrorist Mohd. Naved alias Usman Khan as a major breakthrough in exposing Pakistan's involvement in the Udhampur terror attack, Islamabad has categorically denied any role in the incident, claiming no such person is registered as a citizen in its national database.
According to the Pakistani news website 'Dunya News', the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) claimed on Thursday that suspected Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist Mohd Naved alias Usman Khan is not a citizen of the country.
The website quoted NADRA officials as saying that there is no one called Usman Khan registered as a Pakistani citizen in their records.
The NADRA officials further claimed that the images of the man arrested by India does not match any Pakistani citizen.
Earlier also, Islamabad had categorically disowned Ajmal Kasab as a Pakistani national. Kasab was one of the ten attackers from Pakistan who had unleashed bloodbath at various places in Mumbai on November 26, 2008 before being finally captured alive.
NADRA is tasked with ensuring civil registration of all Pakistanis to issue secure Computerized National Identity Cards (CNIC).
Meanwhile, captured Pakistani terrorist Md Naved alias Usman has made explosive claims during interrogation by Indian security officials. As per those interrogating him, Naved alias Usman is dodging questions and changing his statements frequently.
Home Minister Rajnath Singh, while speaking in Parliament today, termed the Udhampur attack as an attempt by Pakistan to destabilise peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
"Two militants attacked Border Security Force (BSF) convoy in Udhampur in Jammu on Wednesday. Two jawans were killed and 14 were injured in the attack," the Home Minister said in a statement in the Rajya Sabha.
"One of the two terrorists was killed and the other was arrested with the help of locals. The other terrorist has been brought to Jammu and interrogation is on. After initial interrogation, the terrorist has told his name is Naved, alias Mohammad Usman, and he is from Faisalabad," Singh added.
The Rajya Sabha, which has been repeatedly disrupted since the beginning of the Monsoon Session, agreed to hear the minister's statement on the attack in silence, with leader of Opposition Ghulam Nabi Azad calling it a matter of great concern for the whole nation.
He said an AK-47 with magazines and explosives were recovered.
"This attack is an attempt by cross border terrorists to disrupt peace in Jammu and Kashmir. We condemn it," he said.
He also expressed regret over the death of two BSF troopers, and those injured in the "mindless violence".
Singh said that the government is considering gallantry awards for the BSF troopers, and has asked the state government to reward the villagers.
"BSF, Jammu and Kashmir police, and CRPF showed courage in limiting the damage and made the attack fail. For this courageous action, the kin of the deceased soldiers will be given compensation, jobs and will also be given gallantry awards," he said.
