Sikh youth held for LeT links

For the first time in the history of J-K militancy,the state police arrested a Sikh youth from North Kashmir...

For the first time in the history of J-K militancy,the state police arrested a Sikh youth from North Kashmir suspecting him of working for the Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Toiba.

Popinder Singh,30,an employee in the medical department and posted at the Primary Health Centre,Sogam,was arrested by the Special Operation Group (SOG) of police from Choughal Handwara.

Police said Singh was working as an over-ground worker of Lashkar in North Kashmir and was in direct contact with the outfits commander,Furkan,who is based across the border.

Singh was on the police radar for quite some time as he used to attend telephone calls from Furkan and used to carry out his instructions,said police sources.

Singh was picked by the police on Friday from his native village. During interrogation,Singh admitted that he worked for the Lashkar-e-Toiba. Singh worked for Lashkar and was in touch with its commander. Two hand grenades were recovered from his possession, a senior police officer said. We are sure of getting more information from him, he added.

According to the police,Singh has been working for the Lashkar over the past one year. He used to ferry weapons and money to different places across the Valley for the outfit. Officials are now trying to establish how Singh came in touch with the Lashkar commander.

Senior Lashkar commanders and top militants in Kashmir are known to disguise as Sikhs to hide their real identity. However,this is the first case when a Sikh youth was found working for a militant outfit. The arrest has left the state police and the Army top brass worried as they fear more Sikh youths might be misguided by such terror groups.