A Pakistani militant who was captured at Uri in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir said the Indian Army had treated him well and that he joined militancy because of poverty.
The Lashkar-e-Taiba militant said his name was Ali Babar Patra but on the identity card his name had been shown as Imdadullah. He said he was 18-years-old and was a resident of Dipalpur in Okara district, Punjab, Pakistan.
“My father’s name is Muhammad Lateef and my mother's is Shamima Bibi. I have one elder sister. Her name is Samira,” Patra said, adding that in 2014, his father died and he quit studies due to poverty .
“Then I went to Sailkote to work in a garment factory. There I met Anas who works for ISI and LeT,” he said.
He said he went with Anas since he needed money. “He (Anas) gave me Rs 20,000 and said he would give me more later,’’ he said.
Patra said he was at Karwai Camp Khyber where he, along with eight others, was trained in using AK 47, grenade firing and keeping fit. On September 18, Patra and Anas crossed the LoC after cutting the fence in the night.
“We were faced with the Indian Army. Four others in the group retreated. We also wanted to go back but the Army had surrounded us and asked us to surrender,” he said.
Anas opened fire and one soldier was injured. Patra said Anas was killed in the retaliatory fire while he surrendered.
“I was treated well by the Indian Army,’’ he said. “They gave me food and tea and allowed me to do namaz.”
Patra said whatever he was told about Kashmir was not correct. “When I was being taken in a vehicle after surrender, I saw a rush in the market,’’ he said. “I Appeal to Pakistan like they sent me here they should also ensure reunion with my mother.”
