Author: M Saleem Pandit
Publication: The Times of India
Date: July 27, 2006
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/1815070.cms
The Army on Wednesday said it had arrested
another soldier of J&K Light Infantry (JAKLI) for his alleged links with
terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba.
He is the third man to be arrested from the
same regiment and also belongs to Gursai village of Mendhar district in Poonch,
like the other two men arrested earlier.
TOI had reported on Wednesday that two soldiers
- Lance Naik Mohammad Shakeel and Sepoy Abdul Haq - were picked up by military
intelligence last week for alleged links with LeT. Sources said the duo revealed
that Naik Mohammad Sharief was part of their group.
But there were conflicting reports about the
total number of soldiers arrested with some TV channels claiming the number
was actually five, apart from two policemen who were arrested on Tuesday for
alleged LeT links. The Army has refuted claims about the arrest of five soldiers.
"Sharief is presently posted at Ashmaqum
in Anantnag district of south Kashmir and attached with 3 Rashtriya Rifles,"
a source said.
Col H Juneja, spokesman of Srinagar-based
15 corps, said he had no clue about the arrest of any soldier in Anantnag.
"I am trying to get details."
Shareif's involvement came to light after
the arrest of LeT terrorist Tipu last week. Tipu, who was arrested two weeks
ago after a grenade attack on Jammu bus stand, revealed that Sharief had attended
some crucial meetings with top Laskhar terrorists, police sources in Jammu
said.
Tipu's arrest had also led to the arrest of
the two policemen - Sikandar and Kabir in Jammu. Sources said Tipu had disclosed
the names of the soldiers and policemen who, he claimed, were working for
the LeT.