In the first ever visit of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT), India and neighbour Pakistan began formal discussions on the investigations into the terror attack at the Pathankot IAF base. A five-member Pakistani JIT, headed by chief of Punjab's counter-terrorism department Muhammad Tahir Rai, Inter-Services Intelligence official Lt Col Tanvir Ahmed, military intelligence official Lt Col Irfan Mirza and Gujaranwala CTD investigating officer, Shahid Tanveer, was received at the headquarters of the National Investigation Agency by Inspector General Sanjiv Kumar Singh.
The team was given a detailed presentation of the probe done by Indian agencies so far, along with evidences showing the attack was planned in Pakistan. The NIA, in a day-long interaction with the team, showed them weapons like AK-47s and pistols, binoculars, GPS device, grenades, medicines, clothes, food packets, dates and dry-fruits, wire-cutters, and shoes which either had a 'Made in Pakistan' marking or were procured from there. JIT was also shown phone numbers of Rauf Asghar, brother of JeM chief Masood Azhar. Top sources said the Pakistani delegation could not contradict any of the evidence and quietly took down notes. NIA director general Sharad Kumar said the meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere and the Pakistani side was “cooperative”.
They later visited the “sanitised” areas at the airbase, on Tuesday, amid protests from Congress and Aam Aadmi Party members against its visit. Protesters accused the BJP led government of hurting the sentiments of Indians by allowing Pakistan team to probe terror attack on Indian soil. AAP minister Kapil Mishra said allowing Pakistani JIT to visit the air base was “shameful and disgusting”. “For the first time in 35 years, we are saying that ISI was not supporting terrorism... the same people who have killed our people have come here...this is so shameful and disgusting,” Mishra said. “This is an insult of our mother India. We will not let Modi government to do this,” he said.
A large number of security personnel, including Punjab Police SWAT team were deployed with the security dialled to the maximum. Officials involved said the JIT visited areas of the IAF base where the attackers had sneaked into leading the over 80-hour gun battle that took the lives of least four terrorists and seven security personnel. The Pathankot airbase was attacked by Pakistan-based Jaish-e-MOhammed terror group on January 2.
