Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 29: As Pakistan’s Joint Investigation Team (JIT) visited “scene of crime’’ at Pathankot airbase, Bamial International Border, Ujh river and other relevant areas and examined some civilian witnesses, a team of National Investigating Agency (NIA) could also visit Pakistan to join investigations in January 2 Pathankot terror attack in which seven security personnel and six militants were killed.
On third day of visit to India, the JIT that comprised the officials of Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Military Intelligence, was flown from New Delhi to Amritsar but was then taken to Pathankot airbase by road to ensure that strategic assets were not shown to them from air. They were driven to “scene of crime’’ inside Pathankot airbase from a specially created gate after the Indian Air Force (IAF) had curtained all its strategic assets to prevent them from exposure.
Official sources told the Excelsior that five-members team, the first ever Pakistani team to join investigations in terror attack that originated from their own country, was taken to “scene of crime’’ only i.e. the place where 80-hours long encounter had taken place between multiple security agencies and six militants from January 2 onwards.
They were at the “scene’’ for about half an hour and were briefed by the NIA team headed by IG Sanjiv Singh that was accompanying the JIT from New Delhi, about the entire incident right from start of the encounter to its culmination with the elimination of all militants.
The JIT was taken to crucial point of Ujh river in Bamial sector, bordering Lakhanpur area of Jammu from where the militants had infiltrated into the Indian territory. They were shown the route of infiltration from Ujh river bridge and also given evidence of infiltration by the militants and Pakistani belongings recovered from them.
The team was taken from the air base to Koliyan village area where Punjab Police SP Salwinder Singh, his friend Rajesh Verma and cook Madan Gopal were abducted by the terrorists in their blue beacon SUV.
Salwinder had claimed that he and his friend along with the cook were coming back after paying obeisance at Panj Peer Dargah falling in Narot Jaimal Singh area.
They were also taken to Gulpur village where SP and his cook were dumped by terrorists. Then the team was taken to Tajpur village where finally the SUV in which Rajesh in injured condition was found.
The team also visited ‘Kathlor Ka Pul’ where driver Ikagar was killed besides ‘Narot Jaimal Singh’ where Salwinder’s vehicle was abandoned. Sources said the JIT closely examined the Bamial infiltration route. However, they were not taken to forward post of Bamial sector due to reservations voiced by the BSF in view of strategic nature of the area, where the BSF has several forward posts.
Sources said the NIA gave evidence to Pakistani JIT about involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit in the terror attack including JeM chief Moulana Masood Azhar. They also gave identity of four militants, who were killed in the attack, as Pakistani nationals with residential proof and names of family members of some of them to whom they had made telephonic calls before launching attack on the airbase on January 2 this year.
According to sources, the NIA team, which has been assigned investigations in the case, could also visit Pakistan to join the probe as Pakistan has also registered a FIR in the case and made some arrests. The reciprocal visit would take place after clearance by the Government of India.
Sources said the JIT was taken in bullet-proof vehicles and commandos had been deployed for their security. After about four hours stay in Pathankot, they returned to Amritsar and were flown to New Delhi from there they will fly back to Pakistan tomorrow.
It is for the first time that a Pakistani team has visited India to ‘probe’ a terror case and has been given access to a strategic installation amidst strong criticism from opposition parties.
Most of the base was completely covered with white curtains to prevent a view of the valuable defence assets.
Away from media glare, NIA team led by Inspector General of Police Sanjiv Singh briefed them about the investigations carried out so far in the case.
The team, officials said, was taken to only the “scene of crime” where the encounter occurred between the security men and terrorists and the entire process was videographed and photographed by two IAF personnel.
The Pakistani JIT is led by Punjab’s Additional Inspector General of Police, Counter Terrorism Department, Mohammad Tahir Rai and also includes ISI’s Lt Col Tanvir Ahmed.
Defence Ministry had earlier declined permission for landing of the special aircraft carrying the JIT members at Pathankot airbase.
Amid reports that terrorists may target the team in Pathankot, Punjab Police had deployed its SWAT commandos along with the team. Adequate police presence ensured that none of the political parties could stage any protest to block the way of the team.
PTI adds:
The district administration, however, tightened security around the Pathankot Air Force station as Congress and AAP had planned protests.
The administration had already deployed heavy police force in the city and along the Amritsar – Pathankot National Highway to provide them traffic free route to the JIT.
AAP’s Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra who arrived here with his supporters protested against the visit. He said allowing Pakistani JIT to visit the air base was “shameful and disgusting”.
“For the first time in 35 years, we are saying that ISI was not supporting terrorism… The same people who have killed our people have come here…This is so shameful and disgusting,” Mishra said.
“This is an insult of our mother India. We will not let Modi Government to do this,” he said.
“Modi has shown his real face. We do not want killers to be allowed to probe the matter. We will not tolerate this and that is why AAP is holding protest here,” said AAP leader Sanjay Singh, who is party incharge for Punjab affairs.
“It is an insult to Indians and martyrs,” he said.
Follow our WhatsApp channel