Rukhsana Kousar and her brother Aijaz Ahmed, who killed a militant to protect their family in Jammu and Kashmir, were among 26 others chosen for State Awards.
Jammu and Kashmir government announced the State Awards on the eve of Republic Day for bravery, literature, performing arts, arts and crafts, social service, meritorious public service, outstanding sports persons and exemplary industrial entrepreneurship, an official said here today.
In bravery, Rukhsana and Aijaz have been chosen for a cash award of Rs 51,000, a medal and a citation each. Twenty-two-year-old girl Rukhsana had killed an LeT militant and injured another at Kalsian village in Rajouri district on the night of September 27 last year. She, along with her brother Aijaz, overpowered the terrorist, snatched his rifle and fired at him, killing him on the spot. Rukhsana is now a Jammu and Kashmir Police officer.
Rukhsana and her brother Ajaz have also been named for Kirti Chakra.
In the field of literature, Professor Rehman Rahi, Kashmiri poet and writer, Professor Sewa Singh, Punjabi writer and Professor Veena Gupta, Dogri writer, have been chosen for cash award of Rs 51,000, a shawl and a citation each.
Awards for performing Arts were given to singer Shameem Azad, the wife of Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad, Kailash Mehra (singer), Pradhuman Singh Jindrahia (Dogri folk artist) and Ustad Ghulam Mohammad Saznawaz (sufiana Ustad). They have been selected for a cash award of Rs 51,000, a medal and a citation each.