Militancy to border security

UDHAMPUR, February 5: Mushtaq Ahmed Ganai, a renegade militant, was a proud of his achievement today. So were the 87 others who Ganai led at...

UDHAMPUR, February 5: Mushtaq Ahmed Ganai, a renegade militant, was a proud of his achievement today. So were the 87 others who Ganai led at the passing-out parade at the conclusion of the 36-week-long training as BSF recruits at the Combat Training Centre here. His new-found confidence spoke volumes of the satisfaction and pride at being chosen to safeguard the frontiers of the nation.

Ganai is one of the 88 persons who surrendered before the security forces and volunteered for induction into the Border Security Force BSF last year. The completion of the training yesterday and their passing out was the end of the first phase of their battle to punish those who had misled them. 8220;I will never get back the precious years which I have lost when I succumbed to the pressure of the militant groups. But now with the disciplined training at my back I will take revenge from the militants for that,8221; Ganai who surrendered in 1996 said.

As the troops marched past the enclosure packed with their relatives, tearsbegan to roll down some of the proud members of their families. 8220;My son has done me proud today. I don8217;t fear the militants now as my son will be there to save me and also his people in his village,8221; Ali Mohammad of Kupwara, son of one of the surrendered militants said.

It was a long and arduous road to achieving the objective. Initial reluctance and apprehension on part of the recruits gave them some sleepless nights. 8220;Initially, I was very apprehensive about my decision of joining the BSF. I was not sure wether I would be treated as a normal national and this feeling ensured some difficult moments,8221; said Nissar Ahmed Shah who deserted the JKLF and surrendered before the forces in 1996.

But initial reluctance gradually gave way to a cordial and receptive atmosphere which allayed all fears of the surrendered militants, 8220;We were never given a feeling that we some abnormal people during the course of our training. Both the batchmates from other states and senior officers boosted our morale and wegradually started liking what we were doing,8221;he said. And ask them about the difference they find in the training methodology at the militant training camps and the BSF, there is a general unanimity that the element of discipline and a cause for training made the two stand poles apart.

8220;Militant group train for carrying out senseless killing where the targets are innocent people while the training here is imparted for a sacred cause and that is defending the honour of your country. Besides, the element of discipline makes you a complete human being,8221; Nissar said. There is also a general unanimity that the training schedule was something that brought out the best in them.