Jammu: In the first ever judgement on an arrested militant in Jammu and Kashmir, a Pak national and Lashkar-e-Toiba militant was awarded 25 years rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20,000 today (Jan 31, 2004).

The Principal Sessions Judge, District and Session Court, Jammu, Subhash Chander Gupta, awarded 25 years RI and a fine of Rs 20,000 in different offences to Mohmammad Qasim alias Abu Bakar, a Pakistani and LeT ultra, who was arrested by the Army in December 1995.

Qasim, son of Mohammad Bashir from Kotli in Pakistan, was apprehended by the Army while crossing into Indian territory at Dharati village in Poonch district and was injured in an encounter with the Army.

On search, one AK-47 rifle, two magazines, 72 rounds of AK 47 rifle, one IED and a bag brought by him from a Pakistani agent for distribution amongst LeT militants operative in the country were found in his possession.

The judge said in his order that after viewing the gravity of the offences proved against him, the accused (Qasim) deserves to be punished with the life imprisonment for commission of offence under Sec 3 of Enemy Agent Ordinance.

"But looking at his young age of 27 years, and that he was nabbed by the Army immediately after crossing the border without causing any casualty or damage to the property in the country, the accused is awarded punishment of 10 years RI and a fine of Rs 10,000," he said.