Pathankot Case: Second Forensic Exam Before Pak Probe Team Arrives

There is still a question mark over the number of terrorists involved in the Pathankot attack.

Soldiers stand guard near the Indian Air Force (IAF) base at Pathankot in Punjab, 3 January 2016. (Photo: Reuters)

March 27 is when a team of investigators from Pakistan is slated to visit India in connection with the Pathankot terror attack. Ahead of that, the National Investigation Agency has decided to send the charred remains of the bodies found inside the airbase for forensic analysis, according to The Indian Express.

This second forensic examination is to ensure that there is no loophole in the final report when the two countries discuss the probe.

It’s a sensitive case where we are looking for cooperation from Pakistan. Their team is going to arrive here soon and all these reports and evidence would be shared to help them investigate the case at their end. We have to make sure that no one can raise a finger on any evidence.

<b>Security Officer</b>

On 16 March, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh told the Lok Sabha that the first forensic examination revealed the involvement of six terrorists in the attack.

However, the IAF thermal imagers captured only four men entering the airbase and post operation, bodies of only four militants were found along with AK-47 guns. Moreover, the claim by the National Security Guard that it battled two more terrorists inside the army billet, was not supported by what came out in the forensic exam. Not even small fragments of weapons, grenades, or human bones were found in the final results.

For the full report, read here.