BSF catches potential Fidayien

ATTARI BORDER - Pakistani teenager Namun Arshad, who was apprehended by the Border Security Force on Tuesday afternoon while attempting to infiltrate into India, has turned out to be a potential suicide bomber who was on a recce mission to facilitate the infiltration of as many as as seven suicide bombers, including three ladies from Pakistan.

BSF Deputy Inspector General Mohammad Aquil informed on Thursday that the interrogation of Arshad has revealed that on 13 June 2009, Naveed, a friend of Arshad had taken him to the Tahrik -e Islam madrassa in Peshawar where he underwent four days of intensive terrorist training, including how to use a revolver, a pistol and a missile. In October 2009, the Jehadi groups were sent for further extensive training to Okara.

Arshad said that Ajmal Kasab had also undergone training in arms and other disruptive activities in the same camp. Sources informed that the Tahrik- e-Taliban was the group who took Namun away for training. He said since they had tied a black cloth on his eyes, he was not aware of the exact locations of the camps.

Arshad’s mother, Ranzan Tahira, is a teacher at the Cantt. Girls Middle School in Minawa. Arshad was a student of the Comprehence School in Gujjarpura. His elder brother is also studying in the same school.

DIG Aquil informed that the Jihadis had left him on the Indo Pak international border near border gate number 101/8 and had instructed him to crawl up to the border fence, situated inside Indian territory, and return. The Jihadi’s were to receive him back in the same day evening.

Aquil said the exercise was carried out to facilitate the infiltration of a seven-member squad of suicide bombers, including three ladies. The watchful BSF’s Kissan guard who caught him spotted him. Border security personnel recovered a chemistry book and Pakistani currency Rs.10 and some dry fruits from him.

Arshad told media that he didn’t like what they ( Jihadi) trained him for, so he was ignoring him, but he had to perform the recce since they have given him threat to kill his family.

The BSF DIG said that Arshad would be handed over to the police for further joint interrogation.

On Monday, in a similar incident, a 12-year-old Ateequee Khan, who crossed the border unchecked and landed at Attari railway station as he was boarding the Samjhauta Express train.

At least four Pakistani teenagers have been arrested by the BSF in recent days who were eager to see the India-Pakistan border. However, the Border guards later handed over the boys to Pakistani Rangers after a Flag Meeting.

India suspended a peace process begun 2004, which had brought better ties, and there has been no progress towards resuming it. However, such a camaraderie between the two countries still delights. By Ravinder Singh Robin (ANI)