US produces evidence on Pakistan's role in Pathankot attack
The US, in accordance with the MLAT, provided the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with over 1,000 pages of documents proving that the Pathankot terror attack was micromanaged from Pakistan by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The documents provide details of conversations and chats between Pakistan-based JeM handler Kashif Jaan and four of the Pathankot terrorists during their 80-hour siege of the Pathankot Air Force Base.
Terrorists attack Pathankot Air Force Base
The Pathankot Air Force base was attacked on 2nd January by a group of six terrorists who entered posing as security personnel. The attack continued for three days resulting in the death of 7 Indian security personnel as well as of all 6 terrorists involved. Indian officials suspected the Pakistan-based terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) of carrying out the attacks at the strategic air base.
The Jaish-e-Mohammed
Founded by Masood Azhar in the early 2000s, the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) is an Islamist terrorist group focused on uniting Kashmir with Pakistan. Pakistan banned the JeM in 2002, but the organisation operates from and continues to have several facilities in Pakistan.
India postpones talks with Pakistan as Pathankot investigation continues
The National Investigation Agency (NIA), which was investigating the attacks had found the hand of Pakistan-based terror organisation Jaish-e-Mohammed behind the attacks. India handed over the evidence to Pakistan so that Islamabad could take action against those involved in the attack. The foreign secretary-level talks scheduled for 15th January were also postponed till Pakistan took concrete action against JeM.
Pakistan finds no evidence against JeM Chief
Pakistan arrested several terrorists linked to JeM but did not arrest JeM Chief, Maulana Masood Azhar as Pakistan's Special Investigation Team (SIT) could not find evidence against him. Pakistan also filed FIR against unknown persons, a move which Indian officials regard an acknowledgement of attack being planned from Pakistan. It offered to send a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to India to investigate the attack.
Pakistan says India "stage managed" the Pathankot attack
A Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) arrived in India on 27th March to investigate the Pathankot attack and meet NIA officials. After their 6-day long probe into the attack, the Pakistani JIT stated that the attack was 'stage managed' by India. In addition, Pakistan refused to allow the Indian NIA team to visit Pakistan to investigate further.
US produces evidence on Pakistan's role in Pathankot attack
The US, in accordance with the MLAT, provided the National Investigation Agency (NIA) with over 1,000 pages of documents proving that the Pathankot terror attack was micromanaged from Pakistan by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The documents provide details of conversations and chats between Pakistan-based JeM handler Kashif Jaan and four of the Pathankot terrorists during their 80-hour siege of the Pathankot Air Force Base.
What is the MLAT?
In 2005, the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the United States signed a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) to enable smooth cooperation between the two governments in the "investigation, prosecution, prevention and suppression" of crime.
What we know from the US documents
According to the documents, Kashif Jaan used a Facebook account which was linked to the mobile number which the terrorists called during the Pathankot siege. The documents also show that the militants called numbers associated the JeM's financial arm - the Al-Rahmat Trust. Furthermore, the documents also include Jaan's conversations with other JeM members over a period of time.
Pathankot: NIA to file chargesheet against Masood Azhar
Seeking to increase pressure on JeM Chief Masood Azhar, the NIA is planning to file a chargesheet naming him, his brother Abdul Rauf and high ranking JeM members. The chargesheet seeks to reflect India's determination to persuade the UN Security Council to sanction Azhar, despite China's repeated veto votes. The NIA has also approached the US for technical evidence against Masood Azhar.
Home Ministry approves prosecution request against Masood Azhar
The Home-Ministry has approved a request to prosecute Masood Azhar and other high ranking members of the Jaish-e-Mohammad for their role in the Pathankot-attack. The NIA seeks to charge them under sections 18, 20, 28 of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and murder, criminal conspiracy, waging war against India in the IPC. The move will also help India's international-case against the JeM in the UN.
Pathankot investigation CIO repatriated to parent cadre
Just as the NIA began the process to file charges against the JeM in the Pathankot attacks case, the Chief Investigating Officer, Mitesh Jain has been repatriated to his parent cadre in West Bengal. The NIA said the WB government refused to extend Jain's deputation to the NIA. A new CIO is to be appointed to take over from Jain.
NIA chargesheets Masood Azhar for Pathankot attack
The National Investigation Agency filed a chargesheet against Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar for being the mastermind behind the Pathankot Airbase attack in January. Azhar's brother, Abdul Rauf Asghar and Shahid Latif and Kashif Jan (two handlers) were also named in the chargesheet. Their offences fall under the Arms Act, Explosive Substances Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
Nagrota attack
Maulana Masood Azhar claimed responsibility for an attack on a military camp in Nagrota in JeM's online publication saying, "This week's publication was delayed as the attack in Nagrota was still in action at the time of writing and communication failure from Kashmir."
