'Al Qaeda' CD in J-K, Centre says possible work of Lashker

SRINAGAR: A compact disc purportedly containing propaganda material of international terror group Al Qaeda was circulated among the media in Jammu and Kashmir, prompting authorities to conduct a thorough inquiry.

Home Ministry sources in Delhi said it was highly unlikely that Al Qaeda could have engaged in the circulation of the CD and it was possible that Lashker-e-Taiba could be behind it to 'boost the morale of its demoralising cadres'.

J-K Police top brass maintained that the veracity of the CD was being verified, but they were taking no chances and have begun investigations into the matter.

The CD was given to a local news agency here along with a statement issued by Al Qaeda's so-called 'India chief' Abu Abdul Rehman Al-Ansari, in which he spoke against the separatist leadership of the state as well as the United Jehad Council, an amalgam of militant groups based in Pakistan.

State Police chief Gopal Sharma told PTI cognisance of the CD had been taken and its authenticity was being verified.

The man appearing on the CD speaks with an accent generally prevalent in Pakistan's Punjab province.