Lt-Col being questioned for role in Malegaon blast

With the media speculating on the role of the officer in the blasts during Ramzan that killed six Muslims, the army in a press release on Thursday announced "full cooperation" to the police and facilitate his questioning.

The army decision comes on a request from the Anti Terrorism Squad of the Maharashtra police which has already arrested Ramesh Upadhaya, a retired army major from Pune in connection with the blast.

Interestingly, earlier in the day, Deputy Army Chief Lt Gen S P S Dhillon told reporters that the army headquarters had not received any official communication on the issue and promised to "come clean" by the evening.

"While no formal application has been received from the police authorities, the Army HQ has decided to extend full cooperation and facilitate interaction of the officer with the investigating officials of the police," the army release said.

Accordingly, the officer has been moved to Mumbai to facilitate interaction at a mutually convenient place, it said. The officer was posted at the Army Education Corps School in Pachmarhi in Madhya Pradesh.

The army said further action would be taken as necessitated based upon the outcome of interaction and clarification as planned. "The Army headquarters will continue to provide all assistance to the investigating agency, as and when required by them," it said.

The release recalled that in the course of probe by police in the Malegaon blasts some inputs of possible linkages of a serving army officer with suspects have come to light. Accordingly the police sought to interact with the officer concerned and seek clarifications from him so as to proceed with further investigations.