New Delhi: National Security Advisor, M K Narayanan on Friday said, the National Security Council (NSC) Secretariat had cautioned all states to be vigilant about the activities of jehadi elements but was silent about a reported covering note from him on the possibility of two cadres of a terror outfit infiltrating the Indian Air Force (IAF).
"Yes, this was the report that went out to all state governments to be vigilant and alert to the functioning of jehadi groups," Narayanan said.
Narayanan was reacting to a report which quoted the NSC report on the functioning of terror groups and a covering letter he is said to have written stating there were intelligence reports of two Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) cadres "which could have" made their way into the IAF.
While Narayanan refused to specifically answer whether he had mentioned the possibility of LeT elements sneaking into the IAF, he seemed to suggest that all state intelligence units were instructed to be watchful.
However, the IAF clarified there were no LeT element among its personnel.
IAF spokesman Wing Commander, Mahesh Upasani said that the force had a proper mechanism in place of verifying credentials of those wanting to join the IAF.
"Police and other intelligence agencies carry out verification and vetting of recruits. This is a continuous process. Verification and re-verification are done constantly," he said.
In response to a specific question on the presence of LeT operatives in the IAF, Upasani said, "We have scanned the system and we haven't found any LeT elements. Such scans will be repeated periodically."
But he refused to comment on whether the IAF top brass had received the NSC Secretariat report to be vigilant of the likelihood of terror elements infiltrating.
The political class, on the other hand, reacted strongly to the news report urging the government to strengthen its political and diplomatic initiative.
"It is an effort (of terrorists) to target the last bastion of India - the armed forces. The government needs to realise the seriousness of the issue. We expect the government to reassure the country that it is doing the needful and required by a detailed statement regarding this issue," said Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) General Secretary, Arun Jaitley.
Even BJP Chief, Rajnath Singh pointed out there was no greater threat than terrorists succeeding in infiltrating the into elite armed forces.
National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leader and former defence minister George Fernandes went one step further and asked for the resignation of Narayanan.
However, the ruling Congress party refused to react to the report.
"We cannot react to something unless we have a documented proof of what is being shown on television," Congress Spokesperson, Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.
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