India on Thursday debunked Pakistan’s claims on its investigatiors’ visit for Pathankot attack probe, saying it was agreed that its team would not get access to any security personnel involved in the counter offensive against terrorists.
New Delhi’s comments came following Islamabad’s assertion on Wednesday that India did not produce witnesses belonging to the security forces before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), which was in India for six days.
According to Home Ministry sources, it was agreed before the visit that JIT would not meet any defence personnel involved in Pathankot operation.
The Terms of Reference (ToR) for the visit agreed upon by both the sides said the JIT would interview key witnesses and victims of Pathankot terror attack. There was no mention of access to military or any other security personnel.
The JIT would “collect, review and document” physical evidence regarding the Pathankot incident, collect pieces of forensic evidence for possible matching with specimens of relevant individuals in Pakistan.
It would also “collect, collate, analyse and document” electronic and digital evidence, visit crime scene and other relevant places related to Pathankot investigation, the ToR said.
The JIT had also agreed to share with Indian investigators details of the probe conducted by it upto the time of the visit. The NIA, in turn, would brief the JIT about its investigation.
