President commends bravery of civilians who detained militant

New Delhi, Aug 14 : President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday commended the bravery of three civilians in Udhampur who detained a Pakistani terrorist at the risk of their lives. "I also specially commend the brave civilians who boldly detained a hardened terrorist ignoring the risk to their own lives," the president said in his address to the nation on the eve of Independence Day. Two terrorists had ambushed and killed two BSF troopers on the Srinagar-Jammu highway in Udhampur district on August 5. After one of the terrorists was killed, the other, now identified as Naved alias Mohammad Usman, fled to a village and took shelter in a house but was caught by three villagers. The president also paid tributes to the soldiers and security personnel who had laid down their lives defending the country. "I salute the courage and heroism of our security forces who are maintaining an eternal vigil to safeguard the territorial integrity of our country and the safety of our people," the president said.