Islamabad: Despite assertions by the Pakistan Army that only three to four of its personnel were being held for alleged links with extremist groups, local media maintained that over 20 Army men face investigations for their alleged links with al-Qaida and India.

While one group of men and officers were being investigated for their links with al-Qaida, another group, which was larger in size was taken into custody for their possible links with India, local daily 'Dawn' reported.

"It was reliably learnt that more than a dozen Army officers are under arrest for their alleged links with a religious organisation," even though the Defence spokesman claimed there were only "three to four" officers, Pakistani newspaper 'The Nation' said.

The report said some of them were also being investigated for possible links with a group of Army officers, who made an aborted coup attempt against former Premier Benazir Bhutto eight years ago.

Defence officials were not immediately available to comment on these reports.

The group of Army personnel allegedly having links with al-Qaida were arrested some months ago in Rawalpindi after a lead was provided by senior al-Qaida leader Khalid Sheikh Mohammad.

The second group was arrested from Sindh by the Field Intelligence Unit (FIU) for their contacts with India, 'Dawn' said.

PTI