Pathankot probe: Govt. says details of NIA officials' visit to Pak yet to be finalized

The Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) was informed that a team of National Investigation Agency (NIA) officials would like to visit Pakistan to carry forward investigation into the Pathankot airbase terror attack, however, the details of the visit are yet to be finalised, said Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary on wednesday.

A five-member JIT, comprising Additional Inspector General of Police (IGP), a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), two Lt. Colonels and one inspector, from Pakistan had visited India between March 27-31 to collect, review and document physical evidences and to interview key witnesses and victims through the NIA in connection with the Pathankot attack.

In written replies to separate questions by Neeraj Shekhar and Rajkumar Dhoot in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Chaudhary said the NIA briefed the Pakistani JIT over investigations carried out into the attack, while the Pakistan JIT, in turn, shared with the NIA the results of investigations carried out by them in Pakistan so far.

"The JIT also informed the NIA that they were collecting admissible evidence outside Pakistan under the provisions of the CrPC of Pakistan, which would legally enable them to use the evidence in prosecution," said Chaudhary.

"The interaction with the JIT was held in accordance with "Terms of Reference" mutually agreed on the basis of reciprocity. The Pakistan JIT assured the NIA of their full cooperation and promised to execute the LR, which has been received by them. The case in under investigation in both countries, and the government is in touch with the relevant Pakistani Authorities in the matter," said the minister.

The Pathankot air base was attacked by heavily armed terrorists reportedly having their allegiance to Jaish-e-Mohammed, a terrorist organisation based in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in which four terrorists and three security forces personnel were killed.