Colonel GS Chundawat was also a part of the counter operation during 26/11 attack.
Colonel GS Chundawat, who was in charge of Indian Army operations after two Pakistani terrorists attacked a Border Security Force or BSF convoy in Udhampur yesterday, has battled terror closely before.
He was part of the elite National Security Guard or NSG team that launched an anti-terror operation in Mumbai's iconic Taj Mahal hotel after 10 Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists struck the city's famous landmarks on 26/11.
On Wednesday, the team led by Col Chundawat, a recipient of the Vir Chakra gallantry award, reached the site of the encounter after an exchange of fire between the BSF and two terrorists was over.
One terrorist had been killed but the other had fled, taking three villagers hostage on a hill top.
Given the hostage situation, the Army showed restraint in engaging the terrorist rather than resort to their standard operating procedure to hit hard.
"The focus was to cut off his escape route from the top and capture him alive," the Colonel told NDTV today, standing at the very spot on the national highway where the BSF bus was attacked on Wednesday.
The bus has been removed, but there are shards of shattered glass still on the road.
Major Sumeer Singh of the Indian Army's Special Forces, who also participated in Wednesday's operation, said, "The security of the hostages was primary. At whatever cost we wanted to avoid civilian casualties."
Col Chundawat is all praise for the two villagers who overpowered the terrorist and pinned him down, ensuring his capture.
The terrorist captured alive, who now allegedly says that his name is Qasim, has been handed over after interrogation to the National Investigation Agency or NIA.
Sources say he has told interrogators that he came into India 45 days ago and that he was trained in Pakistan by the Lashkar-e-Taiba terror group.