WASHINGTON, June 16: A US federal judge who on Tuesday sentenced two Muslim youths for planning to cooperate with Lashkar-i-Taiba, has acknowledged that even murderers and Al Qaeda suspects were dealt with less severely.

District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema imposed a life prison sentence on Masoud Khan, 32, and an 85-year term on Seifullah Chapman, 31. Masoud Khan is a US citizen of Pakistan origin.

Both are accused of establishing a "jihad" network in Virginia to fight against Indian forces in occupied Kashmir and of practising with paintballs in a Virginia warehouse. Paintball guns are available at toyshops across the United States and are popular among American kids.

In an unusual criticism of her own ruling, Judge Brinkema said she found it "appalling" but had no choice under strict sentencing guidelines. She said the 85-year sentence she gave to Chapman was "sticking in my craw".

She had convicted Chapman and co-defendants Khan and Hammad Abdur-Raheem, 36, in March of conspiring to help Lashkar-i-Taiba. The sentences were announced on Tuesday.