New Delhi: Defence Minister A K Antony has expressed concern over reports of an Army official being involved in allegedly masterminding the Malegaon blasts last month.
Antony assured Defence Ministry will take necessary action against the officer on the basis of the Maharashtra police's investigation report in the case.
The blasts that took place in the Muslim-dominated Maharashtra town of Malegaon on September 29 claimed six lives.
“It is a matter of big concern. We will go to the root of it. Maharashtra police are investigating the matter and the army is fully assisting the investigations. We are awaiting the report of the investigation. We will decide on action after the report comes in. we are taking it very seriously,” he said.
Evading a direct reply on the involvement of more serving officers, including one holding a senior rank, Antony said the Army was fully assisting the investigation and so was the Defence Ministry.
"On the part of the Army, without any hesitation, they are fully assisting and cooperating with the investigating agencies. We are waiting for a report from the Maharashtra police and I can tell you, we are taking it seriously. We are also taking steps," he added.
The ATS on November 4 arrested Lt Col Srikant Prasad Purohit for allegedly masterminding the Malegaon blasts after the Army gave its nod to detain him.
The ATS produced Purohit before a court in Nashik, which remanded him to police custody for further questioning in the case.
There are reports that more serving Army officers, including a senior-ranked officer, had prior knowledge of Purohit's plans and had complicity in the blasts.
Though the ATS had claimed that it plans to interrogate some more Army officers in the case, the Army has said it was yet to receive any request from the police for questioning more officers from its ranks.
(With PTI inputs)
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