Nepal Maoist held in J-K, LeT link suspected

For the first time, a nexus between the Maoists of Nepal and militants in Kashmir has come to light with the arrest of a suspected Maoist ultra near Baramulla.

For the first time, a nexus between the Maoists of Nepal and militants in Kashmir has come to light with the arrest of a suspected Maoist ultra near Baramulla.

Troops of the 46 Rashtriya Rifles arrested Pasang Lama, a Nepalese citizen, when he was allegedly negotiating an arms deal with Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) men at Binner village, the army said.

His interrogation revealed the link ran deeper than the arms sale. The Maoists were trying to establish links with militant outfits and planning a joint operation to train cadres in making Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), they added.

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Lama was negotiating a deal with LeT cadres believed to be operating in the Rafiabad belt when he was arrested along with a Kashmiri, Mohammad Yonis. Lt Col VK Mathur, 15 Corps spokesman, told Express the arrest had unearthed the Maoists-militants ties for the first time. “The arrested made startling revelations that established their close links,” he said.

Mathur said Lama had been frequently visiting Kashmir for arms. “He has been moving in the guise of a Pashmina trader for many years now,” he said adding that for the past five years, he had been operating from Srinagar and neighbouring towns. “He (Lama) has confessed to having links with militants as well as with some affluent Valley citizens,” he said.

Mathur said Lama had made initial payment of Rs 5 lakh and was to make another token payment during his current visit. “The consolidated payment was to be made in Delhi for the full consignment,” he added. Yet another deal was put off due to the Republic Day alert.