November 15, 2002	Friday	Ramazan 9, 1423

MUMBAI, Nov 14: A former Indian army officer said on Thursday he had set up a suicide squad of more than 40 youths who have volunteered to die in a fight against Pakistan.

Colonel Jayant Chitale, who retired from the army in 1988, said the militants are on a “cleansing mission”.

“A section of the squad will fight the internal enemy of the nation such as corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and criminals, while the other will take on Pakistan, our country’s external enemy,” Chitale said, referring to his “Hindustan Atma Ghatki Pathak”, or “Indian suicide squad”.

A total of 45 youths were given elementary commando training by the military foundation of Maharashtra state in a course which ended on Wednesday, he said.

The training took place at Badlapur, 65 kilometres from Mumbai.

“Our plan is to keep ready around 500 young boys and girls to launch an attack on Pakistan the way they (Pakistan) have been doing for the last two decades on us,” said Chitale, a veteran of the 1971 war.

“But when we hit back it will be two to three times more aggressive. However, all our operations will be (made known) to the government and will be done after its permission (is granted). There will not be anything clandestine.”

Chitale said his commandos are not only Hindus, but are drawn from various religious backgrounds.—AFP