While the Army tries to come to terms with the arrest of its intelligence officer Lt Col Prasad Shrikant Purohit in the Malegaon blasts, the Maharashtra police have claimed that the officer was not an aide but the kingpin who allegedly forged documents during his stint in Jammu & Kashmir for obtaining arms licences for others.

According to the Mumbai ATS, which has passed on the relevant information to Army authorities, Purohit during his stay in J&K some time in 2004-05 obtained these licences with which weapons were procured and handed over to Abhinav Bharat members. As a founder of the organization, sources said, he is alleged to have provided weapons, ammunition and explosives that were used for training.

It may be noted that the ATS has claimed that one of the accused was asked by Purohit to keep some weapons which he had arranged. The police have apparently traced how these weapons were purchased with the help of forged documents.

In fact, investigation details shared with intelligence agencies show that he even held a training camp a couple of months ago in Panchmarhi where he was posted only in July-August. According to Maharasthtra police, 54 members attended the Panchmarhi training camps where they were allegedly trained in handling arms and explosives.

He is said to have held similar camps near Pune, and took leave to attend meetings in Bhonsala Military School which emerged as the hub for Abhinav Bharat activities. Authorities have been told that investigators suspect that one more serving Army officer may be involved, though there is no official intimation yet.

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