06 May,2011 07:05 AM IST | | Ketan Ranga
Interrogation of six suspected Naxalites reveals that the ultra left rebels now possess, and are trained in using, sophisticated weaponry akin to that used by groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba and Indian Mujahideen
In a revelation that could spell doom for the country's internal security situation, an ATS team interrogating six recently arrested suspected Naxalites found that the ultra left rebels have attained a level of weapons sophistication hitherto associated only with groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and the Indian Mujahideen (IM). The interrogation of the six suspected Naxals, including five women, who were arrested from Mumbai and Pune earlier this month, revealed that Naxal groups are fast giving up locally-made bore rifles and crude bombs in favour of sophisticated weaponry like AK-47s and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Out with the old: Earlier Naxals used locally-made bore rifles and
crude bombs for their missions and violence. File pic
Taken by surprise
Two of the suspects revealed that they were trained in firing the Kalashnikovs and in using IEDs in the thickly forested areas of Chandrapur. Investigating agencies, which were taken by surprise at this development, are now trying to find out if radical Islamist organisations have been aiding the Naxals in getting the arms and ammunition as they are not available here. "Naxals have been known for being trained in using local weapons similar to the ones used by policemen as they usually attack police stations to get arms. Their explosive device arsenal also consisted primarily of crude bombs. "This new development, however, puts a whole new spin on the Naxals' ability to cause destruction. "IEDs can be lethal and the Naxals must be getting support in procuring them from terror organisations," said a senior intelligence official.
ATS chief speaks
Confirming the development, ATS chief Rakesh Maria said, "Two of the arrested accused have confessed to having undergone training in using AK-47s and IEDs. We are probing how the Naxals laid their hands on
such sophisticated weapons and whether other anti-national organisations are aiding them."u00a0 "They have undergone training in using these weapons and in setting up ambushes as well," the anti-terrorismu00a0 cop added.
Arrests
The six suspects were arrested from Thane and Pune. Anjali Sontakke and her aide Shraddah Gurav were arrested first and Mayuri Bhagat alias Jeni (23), Jyoti Chorge (19), Anuradha Sonule (23) and Siddhart Bhosle (24) were arrested based on the duo's interrogation.
