'My son played with the honour of his country'

The family of Lashkar-e-Tayiba terrorist Sabauddin, who was arrested last week from Lucknow by Uttar Pradesh Police for his alleged involvement in an attack on a Central Reserve Police Force camp in Rampur on January 1, wants him to be punished as per the laws of the country.

"Hum sharminda hain is ghatna se, Sabauddin Ahmad ko desh ke kanoon ke anusar saja milni chahiye (we are ashamed, Sabauddin Ahmad should be punished as per the law of the country)," says Shabbir Ahmad, the terrorist's father.

Sabauddin alias Sallahudin is also suspected to be involved in the attack on the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.

"I sold farmlands to educate Sabauddin. I never dreamt that my son will become a terrorist," Shabbir told rediff.com on Wednesday over telephone from his village Gandhwar in Madhubani district.

Shabbir, who is a member of the village panchayat, said if his son was involved in any alleged terror plot, he deserves stern punishment because he played with the honour of his country as well as family and clan."

Shabbir denied reports that he wife and other family members had fled after the news of his son's arrest spread in the village. "It is baseless. We are very much in the village," he stated.