Pak JIT had assured reciprocity, says Centre

The visit of Pakistan’s Joint Investigation Team in Pathankot terror attack probe case was on the basis of reciprocity and government is in touch with the authorities of that country on the matter, Rajya Sabha was informed on Wednesday.

‘The interaction with JIT was held in accordance with terms of reference mutually agreed on the basis of reciprocity. The Pakistan JIT assured of their full cooperation and promised to execute the LR (Letters rogatory), which has been received by them.

‘The case is under investigation in both the countries. The government is in touch with the relevant Pakistani authorities in the matter,’ Minister of State for Home Affairs Haribhai Parathibhai Chaudhary said in a written reply.

He said the five-member JIT comprising an additional inspector general of police, a director general of police, two Lt Colonels and one inspector had visited India between March 27 and March 31 to collect, review and document physical evidence and to interview key witnesses and victims through the National Investigation Agency, with regard to Pathankot Airbase terror attack.

‘The NIA briefed the JIT on investigations carried out in the Pathankot airbase terror attack. The Pakistan JIT, in turn, shared with NIA the results of investigations carried out by them in Pakistan so far.

‘The JIT also informed that they were collecting admissible evidence outside Pakistan under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure of Pakistan, that will legally enable them to use the evidence in prosecution,’ he said.

Chaudhary said Pakistan JIT was informed that a team of NIA officials would like to visit Pakistan to carry forward the investigations in the Pathankot airbase terror attack.

The details of the visit are yet to be finalised, he said.