Defence experts laud Sharif for ordering JIT for Pathankot attack probe

Defence expert on Monday welcomed Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's move to set up a high-profile joint investigation team (JIT) to probe into the links of the Pathankot air base attackers with Pakistan.

Defence expert Nitin Gokhle told ANI that this is an important development on Islamabad's part.

"For the first time, Pakistan has formed an investigative team which has ISI also. This is an important development. In the recent history of India-Pakistan engagement, Pakistan has always denied its role on any attack that happened in Indian soil. But in this case they have neither denied the role of Pakistan based anti-India element nor have they said that it is an Indian propaganda," Gokhle said.

"It's a huge step to trying to resolve and trying to get to the bottom of the issue as to who all are behind the Pathankot attack. Nawaz Sharif knows if he won't take action this time then India would call off the talks," he added.

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Another Defence Expert Alok Bansal said Pakistan has been seen a little sincere as pursuing the perpetrators of Pathakot attackers.

"The organistation, which have been accused of committing crime, is Jaish-e-Mohammad which by itself a prescribed organistaion in Pakistan .It makes Nawaz Sharif to walk in this path because it is in his own interest. And if he does this the feeling of anguish in India will decapitate to a great extend," said Bansal.

According to Express Tribune, sources in the Prime Minister's Office said that Nawaz Sharif has asked Intelligence Bureau (IB) chief Aftab Sultan to form a joint investigation team, comprising Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI), to probe the Pathankot incident.

The move came after India shared with Islamabad some evidence of the Pathankot attackers' purported links to Pakistan.