Author: CNN-IBN
Publication: IBNLive.com
Date: November 17, 2008
URL: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/army-debunks-ats-claim-that-purohit-sourced-rdx/78309-3.html
While the ATS may be declaring victory over
alleged confessions of Lt Col Purohit, the Indian Army insiders point out
that the ATS version of events has several holes.
The ATS claim that Purohit sourced RDX from
the Army's stock is debunked by the Army.
The Indian Army is not known to use or store
RDX, say sources. The explosives used by the Army are TNT and plastic explosives
(PEK).
Also, explosives seized by the Army in Jammu
and Kashmir are either destroyed on the spot or handed over to the police.
Besides, 60 kg of RDX is a huge quantity of
explosives. If such a large quantity of explosives goes missing while in the
Army's holds, it would become a subject matter of a major inquiry.
Lt Col Srikant Prasad Purohit was a Major
when he was posted in Kashmir as a Military Intelligence officer and that
is too low a position to manipulate such huge quantities of explosives.
Also, seizures, in any case are effected by
infantry and never by intelligence personnel. Purohit was never imparted,
nor did he acquire any expertise in bomb making in the Army.
Therefore, it is highly unlikely that Lt Col
Purohit could have sourced RDX from Army stores, say sources.