J&K guv recommends Rukhsana for bravery award

Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra has written to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, urging him to recommend the name of Rukhsana, who shot into the limelight after killing a Lashker-e-Tayiba terrorist, for the National Bravery Award, officials said in Jammu on Thursday.

Vohra had lauded the exemplary courage of the girl who, along with her brother, killed the LeT militant in Kalsian area of Shahdra Shrief on September 27.

The governor had asked for a formal report from the director general of police, following which he could recommend her name for the gallantry award, sources said.

Vohra, after receiving the report from the DGP, establishing the bravery of Rukhsana, has written to the chief minister, requesting him to recommend her name to the Union Home Ministry for the National Bravery Award.

Rukhsana, along with her 18-year-old brother Aijaz, had overpowered terrorists who had barged into their house, snatched an AK-47 from one of them and fired at him, killing him on the spot.

Her uncle Wakalat Hussain was also injured in the incident. The bravery of Rukhsana, who had never picked up a gun before the September 27 incident, had come in for praise from President Pratibha Patil and Union Home Minister P Chidambaram.