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Kashmir link: Army takes stock of ammo
The Indian Army has started making a fresh inventory of the weapons and explosives seized during anti-terrorist operations in J&K to find out if any arms and ammunition have gone missing, reports Arun Joshi.
The Indian Army has started making a fresh inventory of the weapons and explosives seized during anti-terrorist operations in Jammu and Kashmir to find out if any arms and ammunition have gone missing.
The investigations began after reports that the RDX used in Malegaon blast on September 29 could have been sourced from Kashmir, where security forces seize RDX and other explosives, Chinese grenades and arms like the deadly AK-47 assault rifle during encounters or search operations.
The Jammu and Kashmir connection has been traced to the arrest of Srikant Purohit, a serving Lieutenant Colonel, who allegedly arranged RDX from the state.
“At times explosives are found abandoned or the terrorists flee leaving behind their arms and ammunition to escape arrest or encounters,” an army source said.
This inventory, sources said, would be tallied with the recoveries made.
Investigators have also begun work on finding out details of telephonic conversations and e-mail contacts of officers, especially those who have served at key positions in the state. “That would help in connecting the dots,” sources said.
Usually, a record is kept of each and every recovery made and is publicised as well. The seized explosives and arms are deposited in safe custody and then displayed before the journalists.
Extra precautions have been taken in depositing and keeping the seized material safe after the March 1993 accident at the Badamai Bagh cantonment in which a Major General and 19 other personnel were killed after some grenades exploded. The blasts gutted the entire armoury comprising more than 3,000 AK- 47 rifles, grenades and explosives.
Meanwhile, a Maharashtra ATS team has reached Uttar Pradesh to question “high-profile” suspects in the Malegaon blast case with the state police saying those under scanner were “not an MP or MLA” even as sleuths probed possible involvement of an arrested army officer in 2007 Samjhauta train blasts.
“A two-member team from the Maharashtra Anti-Terror Squad reached the state late on Tuesday to question some people in connection with the case. We are in touch with them and are extending all possible support,” UP Additional Director General Law and Order, Brijlal said.
