AHMEDABAD, May 29: An Inter State Intelligence (ISI) agent, arrested by the Border Security Force recently, made an easy escape as he literally walked out of police custody at Varahi village in Palanpur district on Friday last.

Laljee Bhojajee Koli, believed to be part of an ISI-engineered plan to smuggle arms, ammunition and explosives through the Rann, was nabbed by a BSF patrol party in Varahi and handed over to the Banaskantha police on May 20. Sources said Koli was lodged at the Varahi Police Station ever since then.

According to these sources, the ISI agent walked out of the police station on Friday morning, taking advantage of the lax security. He is judged to have made his escape between 1.30 and 4.45 am on that day. Reports said Koli managed to escape from his lock-up, as the gates were only held together by a handcuff which was not strongly intertwined.

Intelligence sources said Koli, identified as a resident of Tharparkar district of Sindh province in Pakistan, worked for an Indian agency for some time. However, his services were later discontinued after he was found to be a double agent. Known as an ace smuggler of arms and other contraband, Koli's escape comes as a big blow for the Indian security forces.

During his detention in police custody, Koli was reportedly interrogated by BSP officials, Central Intelligence Bureau officials and the district police. He is said to have disclosed that a huge stock of arms and contraband had been dumped across the border in Nagarparkar taluka.

Intelligence reports said that the dumped contraband included 35 kg of RDX, 40 kg of heroin, 15 AK-47 rifles and a dozen pistols. Koli is also reported to have confessed that three other agents from Pakistan had crossed over to the Indian side along with him.

Koli's escape has hampered the ongoing efforts to trace the three remaining agents, one of whom is believed to belong to the dreaded Filed Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Pakistan Army.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.