1 more soldier held

SRINAGAR: 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.