LeT operative Sandeep Sharma converts to Islam, joins Lashkar to win over Kashmiri 'sweetheart'

PTI photo

Srinagar: Sandeep Sharma, a.k.a Adil, who was arrested by Jammu and Kashmir Police last Sunday, joined terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba as he wanted to marry a Kashmiri girl "at any cost". 

During an interrogation, the anti-terror squad sleuths of Uttar Pradesh police found out that Sandeep Sharma was actually 'stuck by a cupid' and was deeply in love with a Kashmiri girl.

As per Times of India, Sandeep got himself involved romantically with many Kashmiri girls and was reportedly 'desperate' to marry one of them. 

To marry the girl, Sandeep had converted to Islam and named himself Adil, revealed Uttar Pradesh police.

As a pre-condition to marriage, Sandeep changed his religion to Islam and renamed himself Adil about a year ago. He shared the info during the interrogation by a team of UP ATS. IG Aseem Arun said that Sandeep's multiple filings led him to the path of terror. 

As per Indian Express, Sandeep left his home town Muzaffarnagar and moved to Punjab six years ago in search of an employment while he was still a teenager. Having learnt the nuances of gas metal welding from his father before his death, Sandeep found work in Patiala.

During the winters, a large chunk of young men moves down to Himachal, Punjab and other parts of the country from Jammu and Kashmir.

"Sandeep came in contact with some Kashmiri youths in Patiala. The friendship deepened and he started frequenting the Valley in summers for odd jobs along with them," added IG Arun.

Sandeep started his criminal activities Kashmir with thefts and later joined a group for ATM heists. On June 16, when terrorists killed six policemen in Achabal area of Anantnag district, it was Sandeep who drove the motor vehicle ferrying the militants.

Sandeep Sharma was given arms training by Lashkar-e-Taiba. Having a driving licence in his original name, Sharma was used as a driver by terror operatives in the Valley to move weapons from one location to the other, stated the report quoting the interrogation report.