Author: Express News Service
Publication: Expressindia.com
Date: November 20, 2008
URL: http://www.expressindia.com/story_print.php?storyId=388048
Pune, November 19 Family members and the lawyer
of Lt Col Prasad Shirkant Purohit have produced documents to show that the
Army man was "instrumental in killing several dreaded terrorists".
Advocate Shrikant Shivade said in the Shivajinagar
court on Wednesday that Purohit was praised for his "heroics" and
"excellency" in gathering intelligence against the ISI and Islamic
terrorist movements, not only by the Army, but also by the Maharashtra police
including the ATS, which has now arrested him as a prime suspect in Malegaon
blast case.
He said the documents clearly show that Purohit
led Army troops in several anti-terrorist operations in sensitive areas of
Jammu and Kashmir and the north-eastern India.
They showed a letter by the 15 th Battalion
of Marathi Light Infantry in January 2001 that says, "Major Prasad Purohit
personally led a patrol comprising five other ranks that encountered a group
of approximately five to six terrorists at the Line of Control (LoC) attempting
to infiltrate into own area. In the intense firefight, he led his team to
eliminate the terrorists after having foiled their attempt to infiltrate.
His action forced them to leave their weapons and explosives."
They produced another letter dated May 18,
2002, by Brigadier Prakash Menon, Commander of 68 Mountain Brigade, congratulating
Purohit for exceptional bravery and gallant action killing two terrorists
and recovering large quantity of war-like stores.
Purohit's family members gave a list of medals
he had received for his heroics during various operations. Purohit received
the Chief of Army Staff Unit citation award in 1997. He was a part of Operation
Vijay in Kargil War and Operation Rakshak in Nagaland. He has also bagged
the Operation Suraksha Special Service Medal, Sainya Seva Medal, the family
said.
Shivade said that Purohit has received 17
badges from the Army for his anti-terrorist operations. "One badge is
awarded for killing three terrorists," Shivade said.
Purohit's wife said that her husband was an
upright and brave Army officer. "It is sad that such a good officer has
been hatched into a blast case as part of a political conspiracy," she
said.
Day's custody for Kulkarni
Another Malegaon blast suspect Sameer Kulkarni, who is accused of involv1ement
in last year's attack on Pastor Peter David Silway of Vineyard Church in Dapodi,
was produced before the Khadki cantonment court for police custody. Police
also suspect his role in the recent attack on Christians in Orissa.
The Khadki police produced him in court around
11.45 am. Public prosecutor B L Kadam sought seven days' custody of Kulkarni.
"Custodial interrogation of Kulkarni is required for nabbing two more
accomplices in this case. The weapon and the two-wheeler used during the attack
are to be recovered," he said. The Khadki police officials said investigations
would be done to know if he was involved in the recent attacks on Christians
in Orissa.
