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BSF nabs teenaged Pakistani suicide bomber

Last updated on: January 14, 2010 16:30 IST

A teenaged Pakistani terrorist was nabbed by the Border Security Forces near the border who revealed during questioning that there were plans for a seven-member suicide squad including three women to cross over soon and create trouble.

Fourteen-year-old Noman Arshad was arrested near the border while hiding behind bushes.

"I was told to keep a close vigil on the activities of the BSF since there were plans to send seven Pakistan trained terrorists including three women to India through this border to create violence," Arshad told journalists.

BSF deputy inspector general Mohammad Aquil said during interrogation Arshad disclosed that he had undergone training at a camp in Peshawar, where he learnt use of an explosive-laden jacket, bombs, pistols, missiles, rockets and other weapons.

Arshad claimed to have learnt his skills from the same camp visited by Ajmal Kasab, the lone surviving Pakistani terrorist involved in the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.

He claimed to be in constant touch with the terrorists in Pakistan for over a year and pinpointed locations of terror training camps in Pakistan.

A Class IX student of a school in Lahore, Arshad claimed to have been abducted by terrorists, who blindfolded him before being taken to a training camp.

"The threat of killing me and my family members forced me to cross the border. My trainers told me that after watching all the BSF activities I should go back to Pakistan. But, before I could do so, I was nabbed by the Indian security personnel," Arshad said.

"I managed to sneak out of the training camp several times, but was traced every time and forced to undergo training. I did all this under pressure," Arshad said.

The DIG said Arshad was frequently changing his statements and versions before the media and therefore he could not be taken seriously.

"He is very shrewd and changes his statements tactfully which shows the extensive training he has undergone. Arshad has a vast knowledge about the topography of the Indo-Pak border," he added.
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