Jammu: A Kasana Gujjar from Murrah in the remote Hill Kaka region in Poonch district has appealed to Home Minister Rajnath Singh to give his community people a chance to deal with militants in terror-struck districts of Shopian and Anantnag in Kashmir.
In a communiqué sent to the Union Home Minister, Tahir Fazal Chaudhary from Murrah said Goursia Gujjars in Shopian and Anantnag were a warrior community and had traits similar to those of Kasana.
“We had joined the Army during Operation Sarp Vinash in 2003 to clear our region from terrorists at Hill Kaka and if Goursia and Kasana join in a similar manner today, we can ensure victory for our nation,” Chaudhary said.
Chaudhary, 53, was working in a marble factory in Saudi Arabia when he got the news of his brother being killed by militants at his village. He decided to take revenge from the killers.
Their community people working in the same factory formed the Indian Pir Panjal Scouts and approached the Indian consulate to send him back.
“My plea was heard. The then Union Home Minister LK Advani made all arrangements to send me back home at Murrah. I was introduced to various Army headquarters at Hill Kaka. I formed a team of young Gujjar boys and got them trained with weapons while I was given the AK-47,” said Chaudhary, who along with his team of Kasana Gujjars, joined the Army during the operation.
“After many operations, we were able to trap my brother’s killer Abu Kashiv, whom I killed. It was a satisfying moment for me,” he said, adding that Gujjar boys displayed “exemplary courage” to strike deep in various terror camps in Hill Kaka during Operation Sarp Vinash.
In the operation, the Army killed 64 terrorists belonging to various jihadist outfits. The system of hideouts used by the militants found during this operation was the largest ever in the known history of insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir.
“Given a chance, my community people, along with Goursia Gujjars in Kashmir, can deal with militants in Kashmir as they are well versed with the terrain and topography of the region,” he said.
