A multi-crore pilferage scam has come to light in the Army's strategic Leh Corps, after the Jammu and Kashmir [Images] police found clothing and equipment meant for Siachen troops being sold in the local markets.

The police have so far arrested 31 people, including shopkeepers, from various areas in northern Kashmir.

The police even confiscated high-quality equipment like parachutes, trousers and jackets, meant to be used in high altitude areas, from the shopkeepers.

The Siachen glacier is the world's highest and coldest battlefield. Most of the equipment for the Indian troops deployed in Siachen are bought from European countries.

But the Army has refused to cooperate in the probe, said sources.

A few of the arrested accused have confessed to the police that senior Army officials supplied the material to them, said sources. Armed with the confessional statements, police approached the Leh-based 14 Corps to question the officers implicated in the scam.

But the Army refused to cooperate with them. The State government has now taken up the matter with the Army's top brass, said sources.