The Congress on Monday questioned the Central Government’s move to give Pakistan’s security and intelligence officials access to the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot to probe the January terror attack.
Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala while addressing a Press conference said, “Pakistan has provided no assurance of action. Yet their team has been allowed to investigate the Pathankot terror attack.” Surjewala said Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Government had not been able to “differentiate between State actors and non State actors” perpetrating anti-India cross-border terror.
“Does the move imply that the Pakistan (Government) has had no involvement in spreading terror in IndiaIJ” Surjewala asked.“Is there a guarantee that the team will not favour the terrorists,” he said.
Surjewala also questioned the possible outcome of the Pakistani investigation.
“How will the investigation be undertakenIJ Will the terrorists be handed over to the Indian Government or will the cases against them be proceeded in Pakistani courtsIJ,” he asked.
The five-member Pakistani team arrived here on Sunday to probe the January 2 terror attack at the Pathankot air base in Punjab.
“Why is an officer of the infamous ISI of Pakistan a part of the JITIJ The role of the dreaded terrorist organisation -Jaish-e-Mohammad, its chief Maulana Masood Azhar, his brother Abdul Rauf, who was one of the handlers of Pathankot terror attack is well-known and widely accepted. Despite this, Pakistan Government till today has taken no action either against Jaish-e-Mohammad in terms of banning it or in terms of arresting Maulana Masood Azhar or his brother or the other handler Kashif Jaan," Congress spokesperson said.
"Unfettered access is being provided to them (Pakistan JIT) and also red carpet welcome accorded by the Indian Government. It raises serious question with regard to judicial propriety and genuine apprehensions vis-a-vis compromising on national security,” said he.
"Prima facie it appears to be a case of an accused investigating himself. Secondly, by allowing a Pakistani investigation team to visit and investigate, BJP Government has for the first time distinguished and therefore recognized that Pakistani establishment does not have a role in perpetuating terror in India, more so in context to Pathankot terror attack," he added.
Seven military personnel were killed after a gun and bomb attack by alleged Pakistani terrorists at the Air Force base in January. One civilian was also killed in the attack on the sprawling 2,000-acre complex that houses high-value Indian defence assets, including fighter jets. Six terrorists who had crossed over into Punjab from Pakistan were also killed.
This is for the first time New Delhi has allowed Pakistani investigators to probe a terror attack in India blamed on that country.
The access was granted as India hoped Pakistan will bring to justice the alleged perpetrators, including Jaish-e-Mohammad chief Masood Azhar.