M A I N   N E W S

Pilferage scam
Siachen gear up for sale
Army orders probe

New Delhi, August 17
A major scam involving the pilferage and sale of high-altitude clothing and rations meant for soldiers deployed at the Siachen glacier, uncovered by the Jammu and Kashmir police, has prompted the Army to order an inquiry into the matter.

Official sources said the Army had initially refused to cooperate in probing the matter and was reluctant to hand over officers allegedly involved in the scam for questioning.

The Army spokesman, however, said the force had approached the state police, which would keep the Army informed about the involvement of military personnel.

The state police have registered 11 FIRs since July after finding jackets, boots and even parachutes being sold in markets in Leh district and arrested 31 people, including some shopkeepers, in this connection.

Army spokesman Col S.K. Sakhuja said a court of inquiry was ordered in connection with the sale of high-altitude rations in Chumathang and “suitable disciplinary action” was being taken against “some lower level functionaries”.

Giving details, he said army intelligence had brought to the police’s notice the sale of “small quantities of few items” of high-altitude rations by a shopkeeper in Chumathang in early July.

“It is noted that well established procedures are in place to check any pilferages or sale of item of rations or equipment,” Sakhuja said.

The Jammu and Kashmir police have registered a case under Section 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant or a banker or merchant or agent) of the IPC.

A few of the people arrested by the police made confessional statements before magistrates, during which they named senior Army officers who allegedly supplied the materials to them, sources said.

Armed with these confessions, the police approached the Leh-based 14 Corps for questioning certain officers but the army refused to cooperate, they said.

The police investigation also uncovered the alleged involvement of several army officers, including one of the rank of colonel, the sources said.

The recovery of high quality parachutes, trousers and jackets meant for use at high altitudes and Army boots in the Nubra Valley, near the Siachen glacier, surprised the police as most of the equipment for soldiers deployed on Siachen, the world’s highest and coldest battlefield, is very expensive and purchased from European countries. — PTI