Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba plans to expand its network in Jharkhand and Bihar as sleeper cells of the outfit were already operational in the two states, official sources said. The sources quoting the interrogation report of Mohammad Omar Madni claimed that he planned to set up bases in the two eastern states, which are already battling with the menace of left-wing extremism.

The alleged terrorist told the police that establishing bases in these two states was part of the Lashkar's plans to gain foothold in eastern part of the country. The LeT's talent-spotter, who was arrested earlier this month, told interrogators that some of the sleeper cells were already functioning in these two states and the national capital, the sources said.

These cells provided logistical and monetary support to its men, who managed to sneak either through Line of Control in Kashmir or via porous border of India and Nepal. About choosing Jharkhand, Madni, according to the sources, said during his interrogation that the state was chosen as a base for Lashkar as the administration there was already battling with Naxals and this could provide them cover. Madni was arrested by the Special Cell of Delhi Police near Qutub Minar area here on June four.

The sources claim that Madni wanted to set up training camps in India with the help of Lashkar members who were already active. "We have got sufficient links from Madni about existence of sleeper cells in different states. We are in touch with other state police forces to check the validity of his claims," an official said. Besides Jharkhand, police and Central security agencies have fanned teams to areas of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra for further probe. Sources claims that Madni came to India to rope in youngsters, who are computer savvy and educated for LeT's operations. The arrested militant, who lived in Nepal but was of Indian origin, has confessed to transfer of huge amount of money from the Himalayan nation and other countries to India for LeT's operations, the sources said. Madni, a suspected aide of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, is at present in police remand till tomorrow.