By Admin 
A major decision has come in the case of 2016 attack on security forces in Kupwara district of Jammu and Kashmir. The District and Sessions Court has sentenced Pakistani terrorist Hanzallah Yasin Rai alias Abu Ukasa to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.
The court said that the accused had openly and clearly admitted to the attack and no security personnel were injured in the attack, hence this punishment is appropriate.
The accused himself confessed to being involved in the attack
Ukasa, a resident of Bahawalpur, Pakistan, told the court that he was involved in the attack on security forces in 2016. The court held that his confession was voluntary and he did not try to hide his role in the incident.
Judge Manjit Singh Manhas said that no member of the patrol team was injured and the case did not fall in the “extremely serious category” of attempt to murder, so he did not see the need for a harsher punishment like life imprisonment.
The court has sentenced him to 10 years’ imprisonment under Section 7/25 of the Arms Act along with attempt to murder and 5 years’ imprisonment under Section 14 of the Foreigners Act. But the relief is that all three sentences will run together.
Ukasa has been in custody since June 20, 2016, so according to the court, his release is possible in the middle of next year i.e. around 2026.
One month more imprisonment for not paying fine of Rs 20,000
The court has also imposed a total fine of Rs 20,000 for all three offences. If Ukasa does not pay this amount, he will have to undergo additional imprisonment of one month.
The judge ordered that after completing the sentence, the convict will be handed over to the concerned department for action under the Foreigners Act 1946. This also includes repatriation to his home country Pakistan.
The court said in its order that the crimes are certainly serious, but considering the circumstances, it is not appropriate to give life imprisonment to the accused. The court found relief from his long stay in jail, his confession and the fact that no one was hurt.
This decision is being considered an important step forward in the judicial process on old security related matters in Kupwara.