The army has initiated court martial proceedings against a soldier, who "deserted" the service in 1999 and is accused of providing information to the Pakistani army, defence sources said.

Kuldeep Singh, a gunner from field regiment, is facing the charge of deserting service while on duty on December 12, 1999.

He was apprehended on August 10, 2004, near Mantar post in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir.

Singh, who remained absent from duty for a period of over four years, is also facing the charge of stealing one machine carbine, 29 ball ammunition and one magazine of machine carbine, they said.

He is also charged with sharing information with the Pakistani army. The General Court Martial trial framed charges against Singh who pleaded not guilty.

The court adjourned further hearing on the case till February 4, the sources said.

Singh belongs to Harchowal village of Gurdaspur district.