Lucknow, July 13: Sandeep Sharma, who was arrested by Jammu and Kashmir police on Monday, joined terror group Lashkar-e-Taiba after falling in love with a Kashmiri girl. During the interrogation, sleuths from anti-terror squad (ATS) of UP police found out that Sandeep Sharma was involved romantically with many Kashmiri girls and wanted to marry one of them ‘at any cost’. To marry the girl, Sandeep had converted to Islam and named himself Adil, revealed Uttar Pradesh police. Also Read - This University Postpones Medical Examinations at The Last-Minute | Details Inside

According to a report of Times of India, 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. The Uttar Pradesh cops, who went to question Sandeep, reportedly said male members of the girl’s family encouraged him to him to take up arms. Also Read - 2,500 Visitors in One Shift, Online Booking | Taj Mahal Set to Reopen From Monday After 6 Months

“He converted to Islam and named himself Adil to fulfil the condition set by girl’s family about a year back. He also underwent arms training in Kulgam last year in November and December,” ATS inspector general Asim Arun was quoted as saying. Sandeep is believed to have come in contact with some mischievous Kashmiri youths in Patiala, where he moved from his hometown Muzaffarnagar six years back. Also Read - War on 'Love Jihad'? Yogi Govt Likely to Bring Ordinance To Restrict Religious Conversion in UP

“A lot of young men from Kashmir shift to Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and other parts of the country during winters. He came in contact with some mischievous Kashmiri youths in Patiala. He started going to Kashmir during summer season there after for odd jobs along with them,” Asim Arun added. 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.

Interestingly, Sharma is not the first non-Muslim to have joined the ranks of jihadi groups in Jammu and Kashmir. More than 20 non-Muslim militants were active in the Chenab Valley region and Rajouri district during the last 10 years, having joined the LeT, Hizbul Mujahideen and some other groups. However, most of whom were killed in operations by the security forces.