Rukhsana Kausar seeks permanent job in paramilitary force

Kashmiri girl Rukhsana Kausar, who shot into limelight after killing a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist, today demanded a permanent government job, ideally in a paramilitary force, and said she should be shifted out of her home district of Rajouri in view of the threat to her family.

The 20-year-old also said she favours imparting military training to children in schools so that they can "overcome fear and prepare themselves for taking on terrorists".

Kausar, who has been appointed as a special police officer in Jammu and Kashmir Police along with her brother and uncle for her bravery, said at a press meet organised by the Anti-Terrorist Front here that she wants a Central government job, "ideally in the CRPF".

"I am ready to sacrifice myself for the country. I am ready to do any job for my country, but it should be a permanent central government employment. The SPO's job is a temporary one," she said.

Kausar also dismissed reports that she wants to settle in Delhi, but said she should be given a job outside Rajouri as living there is not safe for her family. She cited the revenge attack on her house by militants last week.

Flanked by her family — brother Aijaz and parents Noor and Rashida — the girl who earned the sobriquet of "braveheart", recalled how she along with her brother killed a top Pakistani militant of the LeT and injured another after a group of ultras barged into their house in Shahdra Sharief of Rajouri district on September 27. "At around 9pm, they had knocked our doors. They forced my parents to open the door and started beating them up," Kausar said. She recalled how she and Eijaz, 18, scuffled with the militants, hit them with an axe and killed one of them after snatching his AK-47 rifle.

Kausar, whose bravery had came in for praise from president Pratibha Patil and home minister P Chidambaram, said children should be given military training and made aware of how terrorists were wreaking havoc. "Kashmir is ours and will be so. We will fight the militants," she said.

Asked whether she is ready to join the army if given a chance, she said "yes". To a question, Rukhsana said no major political leader had come to meet her after the incident.

Eijaz said he also wants a Central government job. He said the family is not safe is Rajouri. "Some people asked me if I will be going to my house on October 29. I said yes, after which the grenade attack came at the night."

Anti-Terrorist Front chairman MS Bitta, who presented a Saibaba idol to Kausar and posed carrying swords with the family, said the girl should be given a job in CRPF or BSF.

He alleged that "big political leaders" were shying away from meeting Rukhsana and no official other than the Rajouri SSP has came to her aid. A Maharashtra university was to award her, but scrapped the plan due to a "terror threat", he said.

"Why the BJP, which talks of tough stand against terror, has not honoured her," he asked adding, he has a feeling that Kausar was not getting her due as she is a Muslim.

Kausar's mother Rashida said she is proud of her daughter and wants her to work for the country.

Bitta said he along with the family of Rukhsana will visit Ajmer Sharif tomorrow.

"We will give our thanks for saving the lives of Rukhsana and his family," he said.

A team of Jammu and Kashmir police is travelling with Rukhsana for her protection while security has also been strengthened at her house in Rajouri, one of the  commandos accompanying the girl, said.