Author:
Publication: The New Indian Express
Date: September 19, 2004
URL: http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IEH20040918130229&Page=H&Title=Top+Stories&Topic=0&
A photo-journalist, working for
a local newspaper in Srinagar, has been arrested on charges of passing
sensitive Defence-related information to Pakistan.
According to sources, Sahil Mohammad
Maqbool Khokhar, working with Urdu newspaper Chattan, had in his possession,
classified and sensitive material relating to Defence establishments. These
included aerial pictures of Army camps taken from Army helicopters. The
Army headquarters in the Capital was examining the documents and photographs
to assess their sensitivity, and the extent of damage done by Khokhar.
South Block was looking into how
the photographer got access to Army choppers to take the pictures, and
other classified documents. Involvement of some Army personnel in the matter
had not been ruled out.
According to a report prepared by
the Jammu and Kashmir police and sent to the Intelligence Bureau, Khokhar
had admitted to passing on sensitive information and documents to Pakistan.
The arrest - made by sleuths of the counter-intelligence unit of J-K police
- and the subsequent seizures were carried out on the basis of Khokhar's
revelations.
Hailing from Adhall village of Kokernag
in Anantnag district of South Kashmir, Khokhar had been working in Srinagar
for several years, sources said. ``The police have substantial evidence
against him. They generally do not touch journalists unless they have solid
information,'' sources here said.
