The Hindu : National : Report on likely LeT mole denied

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Saturday, Jul 22, 2006

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National

Report on likely LeT mole denied

Special Correspondent

Ministry refuses comment on NSA's letter

NEW DELHI: Reacting to a report by a television channel that National Security Adviser (NSA) M.K. Narayanan had written to States last year to find out whether two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) militants "could have made their way" into the Indian Air Force (IAF), Ministry of Defence officials "categorically denied" that any such thing had happened.

"We scanned the systems and did not find any [militant]. We will continue to scan at regular intervals as we have done in the past," they added.

They declined to comment on Intelligence reports on the basis of which a report by the National Security Council Secretariat, with a covering letter by Mr. Narayanan, was sent to the States on November 30.

The report is understood to have touched upon the possibility of infiltration of several State agencies, including the Railways.

"When it comes to Intelligence reports, these are not discussed in public domain," they said. Asked specifically about the NSA's letter, they again refused comment.

Checking credentials

"However, on receiving any input, we have procedures and mechanisms to act on it expeditiously. We have methods of checking the credentials of our recruits through Intelligence agencies, civil police and our Intelligence people," they added.

IAF officials explained their verification process, which is done in three stages. A person is recruited once the credentials are found in order by the State police, which also seeks two guarantors. It is then that the person is given access to training institutes.

After passing out, the vetting is done by Intelligence agencies, mainly the Intelligence Bureau. And in case the posting is to a sensitive installation, "we have our own verification mechanisms."

The IAF has 1.1-lakh personnel, including 11,000 officers, and the personnel strength is 10 times smaller than the Army.

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