SRINAGAR, June 18: The Indian army has found no evidence of Al Qaeda presence in Kashmir after claims that the militant network has begun operations in India, an official was quoted as saying on Monday.

Earlier this month a video CD was distributed to journalists in Srinagar which showed masked gunman claiming that Osama bin Laden’s brainchild had arrived.

“Much has been said by the print and electronic media about Al Qaeda’s presence in Kashmir but nothing has been established so far to corroborate these reports,” said Lt-Gen H.S. Panag, the head of the Indian army’s northern command.

“I would say we also have no records in the past about Al Qaeda operatives having been found during counter-insurgency operations in the state,” Gen Panag was quoted as saying by the Excelsior daily.

Last week, the region’s main militant alliance also said Al Qaeda had no presence in occupied Kashmir, where a movement against Indian occupation has been raging since 1989.

Indian forces have recovered photographs of Osama from militants killed in occupied Kashmir in the past, but have rarely suggested a link between the freedom fighters and Al Qaeda.—AFP