Pak JIT Provided Additional Evidence on JeM’s Pathankot Role: NIA

Pakistan JIT provided additional evidence against JeM to NIA. Here are the details of the evidence.

The Pakistani Joint Investigation Team was allowed to access the Pathankot airbase which was attacked by terrorists in January this year. (Photo: The Quint)

The Quint has learnt from top sources in the NIA that the Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) conducted a preliminary inquiry into the Pathankot terror attack before coming to India. Based on the Letter Rogatory (LR) sent by the NIA, the team questioned a few crucial people associated with the case and also collected further evidence .

Here’s some of the evidence Pakistan JIT provided to India:

1. Pak JIT provided names of two Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) handlers in addition to the three names already known to India. NIA sources claim, this shows that Pakistan is convinced of JeM involvement in Pathankot. However, the veracity of the involvement of these two handlers will be clear only after NIA gets more evidence.

2. NIA was told that Pakistan has detained some JeM handlers. JIT assured the NIA that those absconding will be nabbed before India visits Pakistan.

3. The JeM handlers under detention have already been questioned by JIT. NIA officials were briefed about the revelations made by these handlers. Sources say that these perpetrators can be punished in Pakistan. As of now, JIT is cooperating with NIA, the agency said.

4. Pak JIT questioned the family members of the slain terrorists in the Pathankot attack.

The Pakistan JIT has assured the NIA that further investigation will be conducted on the evidence provided by the Indian agency. Pakistan will also match the voice samples of the handlers.

On Pakistan’s media reports that JIT didn’t get enough evidence against JeM, sources in NIA said,

We cannot go by Pakistan media reports. We will reply only if the Pakistan JIT makes a statement.

Pakistan’s Joint Investigation Team arrived in New Delhi on 27 March to carry forward the probe into the Pathankot Air Base attack. (Photo: PTI)

Details of the Evidence NIA Gave Pakistan JIT

Family Background of Four Slain Terrorists

• NIA identified the four slain terrorists in the Pathankot attack as Nasir, Major Sahab, Abu Bakar and Umar.
  
• The NIA requested Pak JIT to supply a copy of the Wasiyat (Will) written by the terrorist Nasir.
  
• NIA wanted DNA samples of family members of terrorists to establish identity.
  

Transcripts of Intercepted Calls

NIA handed over intercepted calls of the following family members and handlers for voice matching.

• Munna (neighbour of Nasir’s mother Nusrat)
  
• Kashif Jan (related to Nasir)
  
• Babar (Related to Nasir)
  
• Nusrat (Mother of Nasir)
  
• JeM Chief Masood Azhar bother Abdul Rauf
  
• Other JeM handlers

NIA Seeks Confirmation

While the NIA has some evidence at its disposal on the following, they sought confirmation from the Pakistan JIT.

• Place in Pakistan where the Pathankot conspiracy was hatched but wanted Pakistan to confirm the same.
  
• If any recce was done by the terrorists before the terror attack
  
• Details of the identity of a senior handler ‘Ustad’ and his location in Pakistan.
• Wanted to question JeM Chief, Rauf, Kashif Jan, all handlers, Nasir’s Mother and family members of other terrorists.

Evidence Demanded by NIA From Pakistan

• Source of the weapons used by the terrorists
  
• Search and seizure of individuals behind the website alqalamonline.com, rangonoor.com and Al-Rahmat Trust
  
• Details of the products used by the terrorists (food, clothes and medicines)
  
• Source of these products and the inventory of the manufacturers of the products.
  

Also Read: Pathankot: Exclusive Details of NIA Presentation to Pakistan JIT