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.