NIA says media conclusions attributed to it on Uri probe factually incorrect

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday said that media related conclusions attributed to it with regard to the investigation of the recent terror attack in Uri, Jammu and Kashmir, were factually incorrect.

Responding to a September 21 Indian Express report titled "Terrorists locked soldiers in cook house, store: Probe" the NIA said in a statement, that "As per the order of the Ministry of Home Affairs, it has commenced investigation which is at a preliminary stage only. In such case, the movements of the terrorists inside the army camp are still being verified and it cannot be said to be the same as published in the newspaper."

"No seizure of items, including Kalashnikov rifles has been made so far, and hence, the presence or absence of markings on them has not been ascertained yet. Further, the process of taking over of the case properties are only underway, and have not yet been completed. The reference to the NIA's conclusions on the GPS sets, and other case properties in this news report, are thus without basis," the NIA added.

The investigative agency also denied the report of NIA chief Sharad Kumar visiting the attack site on Tuesday.

Further the NIA has advised the newspaper to ensure stringent editorial oversight while publishing reports related to security and military operational implications, and hence, has requested it to publish an errata and apology for having published a report full of falsehood.

As per Indian Express reports, the terrorists spent at least a day in the mountains above the brigade headquarters complex observing their target.

Report said, four Kalashnikov rifles used by the terrorists, and handed over by the military to the investigators on Monday, bore no markings or insignia of any kind. There were also no military markings on barrel-fired grenades destroyed by the army Monday, or on launchers fitted on the Kalashnikovs claimed the newspaper in its reports.