Protests as Pakistani team visits Pathankot airbase over Jan 2 terror attack
Protests interrupted in Pathankot on Tuesday as the Joint Investigation Team from Pakistan was shown around the airbase where the terror attack occurred on January 2. On Twitter, the hashtag #ModiShamesINdia trended for several hours.
The Punjab units of the Congress and the AAP staged protests and held black flags as the five-member JIT was taken to the airbase and shown locations connected with the terror attack. However, The Hindu reported that the rest of the airbase was hidden from view by screens to prevent the JIT, which includes ISI members.
ANI reported that the Pakistani officials had to be taken inside the airbase from the back by breaking a wall to make way for them, due to protests.
The investigations into the terror attack are being carried out by the National Investigation Agency, which has told the JIT that no questions on the counter-terror operations on January 2 would be entertained.
The NIA suspects that the Pakistan-based outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed was behind the attack and has shared DNA samples and other evidence with the JIT.
On Twitter, several people criticized the decision of the central government to allow Pakistani officials to visit the site of the attack.
During Vajpayee's time,Gen Musharraf flew into Indian soil & slept a night here. BJP snored. Now, an official invitation. #ModiShamesIndia
— Sanjay Jha (@JhaSanjay) March 29, 2016
Modi ji is hosting lunch to ISI in TajMan Singh!Where is your nationalism?Why were u asking for 10 Pakistani heads earlier!#ModiShamesIndia
— ashutosh (@ashutosh83B) March 29, 2016
Is Modi deliberately allowing Pak team to monitor our country closely so that next time the attack could be more powerful?#ModiShamesIndia
— Aam Aadmi Party- AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 29, 2016
Inviting ISI to probe Pathankot...
— Ankit Lal (@AnkitLal) March 29, 2016
By that standard US should have invited Al-Qayda to probe 9/11.#ModiShamesIndia
His Pseudo-Nationalism stands exposed as #ModiShamesIndia by welcoming JIT from Pakistan.
— Aam Aadmi Party- AAP (@AamAadmiParty) March 29, 2016
#ModiShamesIndia
— Bhaskar Sharma (@bhaskar2sharma) March 29, 2016
Even his supporters are silent in disappointment.
ISI in India for investigation of a terrorist attack. Shocking.
Every martyr, every terror victim has been betrayed by @narendramodi allowing ISI on Indian soil #ModiShamesIndia
— Preeti Sharma Menon (@PreetiSMenon) March 29, 2016
How can ISI which aid and abet Anti-India terror activities be the investigators?Case of accused investigating themselves? #ModiShamesIndia
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) March 29, 2016
The attackers were Pak terrorists, aided by Pak establishment, responsible for terrorist attack yet they are allowed.#ModiShamesIndia
— ੧ਓ msgpahujaa (@MaanmohanSingh) March 29, 2016
Mitron I have invited Dawood Ibrahim to investigate Mumbai serial blasts #ModiShamesIndia
— Free Free Mango Man (@TK_1158) March 29, 2016
Its just like that You are allowing Mallya himself to investigate in his crimes#ModiShamesIndia @dilipkpandey https://t.co/hxsy2gmvIJ
— C P Singh (@CPSingh_Punjab) March 29, 2016
Objection raised by the Congress: Congress chief spokesman Randeep Surjewala said on Tuesday that it appears to be a case of accused investigating himself.
"By allowing an official Pakistani team to visit and investigate, BJP government has, for the first time, distinguished and, therefore, recognized that the Pakistani establishment does not have any role in perpetuating terror in India, more so in the context of Pathankot Terror Attack," he said.
Surjewala, who later issued a statement in New Delhi, said, "India has always recognized complete inter-mixing of State and non-State actors in export of terror to India. This clear line of 'no-distinction' between State and non-State actors in Pakistan has been breached suo motu by BJP government in favour of Pakistani Army and ISI.
Besides, he said "unfettered access" to Pakistani JIT raises serious questions on procedural propriety in relation to compromise on national security.
"Arrival of Pakistani JIT to look into Pathankot Terror Attack, unfettered access being provided and almost red carpet welcome being accorded to the Pakistani team along with visit to Pathankot Airbase without even a 'Letter Rogatory' from Pakistan raises serious questions with regard to procedural propriety and genuine apprehensions vis- -vis compromises on 'National Security'," the Congress spokesman said.
Surjewala alleged that serious questions were also being raised about Modi government's "U-turn in segregation of State and non State actors" in Pakistan indulging in "export of rampant and senseless terror" into India on an everyday basis causing irreparable loss of civilian and military lives.
(With PTI Inputs)