New Delhi

NIA today registered three cases to probe the entire conspiracy behind the strike at the IAF base in Pathankot in Punjab believed to have been carried out by Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammed.

The cases were initially registered by local police stations in Pathankot that were transferred and handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a central probe agency that was set up after the audacious 26/11 Mumbai terror strike to probe all terror cases in the country.

The first case pertains to Superintendent of Police Salwant Singh’s abduction and the second that of killing of taxi driver Ikagar Singh. Both the cases were registered at Narot Jaimal Singh Police Station in Pathankot district.

The third and the main case, registered at Police Station Division No. 2 Pathankot, relates to the terrorist attack on the Air Force Station at Pathankot.

A 20-member team of NIA led by an Inspector General- ranking officer has been camping at Pathankot since January 2 to supervise the ongoing investigations.

An officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police has been appointed as the Chief Investigating Officer of the case.

The NIA registered the case under various sections of Indian Penal Code, Unlawful Activities Prevention Act and Arms Act against unknown persons, official sources said.

The NIA will take over the evidence and custody of the bodies of terrorists once the Army and NSG give clearance that the Pathankot operation is over, the sources said.

The mandate of the NIA probe will include entry of the militants into India, killing of taxi driver Ikagar Singh, kidnapping of Superintendent of Police-rank officer of Punjab Police, who was later released and entry into the IAF campus, the sources said.

The sources said the investigators will also try and ascertain the conspiracy that was hatched on Pakistani soil by the terrorists and if possible find out the state and non- state actors in that country.

The NIA may also question or seek custodial interrogation of sacked IAF personnel Ranjith KK, a Leading Air Craftman (LAC) with IAF posted at Bhatinda, who was arrested by Delhi Police for allegedly supplying information to ISI, they said.

The Pathankot IAF facility, located near the border with Pakistan, is the base of MiG-21 fighter planes and MI-25 attack helicopters of Air Force.

India recently gifted four such choppers to Afghanistan last month.

India may share call details of terrorists, handlers with Pakistan

New Delhi

Details of phone call records of terrorists, who attacked the Pathankot air base, mobile numbers of their handlers based in Pakistan and proof that they came from across the border are expected to be shared with the neighbouring country when officials of the two sides meet in near future.

Government officials said that whenever the two sides meet, be it at the Foreign Secretary-level or in National Security Advisor – level, all proof of Pakistani links of the terrorists would be given for action.

The call details of the phone used by the terrorists, number of their handler in Pakistan would certainly be shared with the neighbouring country in the next available opportunity for taking action against them, officials said.

The terrorist had snatched at least four mobile phones after hijacking the vehicle of Punjab Police SP Salwinder Singh, his jeweller friend Rajesh Verma and Singh’s cook and at least two of these phones were used to call their handlers in Pakistan.

The infiltrators also used two Pakistani SIMs to call their handlers, suspected to be based in Bahawalpur in Pakistan Punjab.

Security agencies are also trying to find out the antecedents of the terrorists who were killed in the operations so that their details could also be shared with Pakistan, sources said.

After operations lasting three days, security forces today killed two more Pakistani terrorists within the Pathankot air base with the government saying six of them have now been neutralised, but it was not clear whether all the intruders have been eliminated.

In the wake of the Pathankot attack as well as the strike on the Indian consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan, both probably originating in Pakistan, indications were that next week’s scheduled visit by Foreign Secretary Jaishankar to Islamabad for talks will be put off.

It is likely that National Security Advisors of the two countries may have an urgent meeting in the next few days after which a call would be taken on the Foreign Secretary-level talks.

Pakistan working on “leads” provided by India on Pathankot attack: Foreign office

Islamabad

Pakistan is working on the “leads” provided by India on the terror attack on the IAF base in Pathankot, the Foreign Office said tonight in a statement whose tone was conciliatory.

Extending Pakistan’s deepest condolences to the Government and people of India on the “unfortunate terrorist incident” in Pathankot, a statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We understand the pain of many families who have lost their dear ones in this tragedy, as Pakistan itself is a major victim of terrorism.”

Noting that the terror attack that left seven security personnel dead has been categorically condemned by Pakistan, the spokesperson said, “In line with Pakistan s commitment to effectively counter and eradicate terrorism, the Government is in touch with the Indian government and is working on the leads provided by it.”

The statement, however, did not give details of the “leads” provided by India.

It also said that India and Pakistan should remain “committed” to a sustained dialogue process.

“Living in the same region and with a common history, the two countries should remain committed to a sustained dialogue process,” it said, adding, “The challenge of terrorism calls for strengthening our resolve to a cooperative approach.”

An element of uncertainty today crept in over next week’s Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan amid indications that these may be deferred in the wake of the Pathankot terror attack last Saturday. PTI