Pathankot attack: Pakistan lodges FIR

In a first, the Pakistan police has filed a First Information Report (FIR) in January’s Pathankot attacks, which comes as an acknowledgement that the attack was executed from Pakistan. India has also handed over evidence found during the Pathankot attacks, like phone records between the militants and their handlers in Pakistan, including Azhar.

According to Pakistani newspaper The News, Punbjab Police’s Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) lodged a complaint against the Pathankot attacks in Gujranwala and the case was filed against unknown terrorists on the plea of deputy home secretary Aitzaz-ud-Din. India has been of the opinion that it can not be seen talking to Pakistan unless the latter takes concrete steps to bring the Pathankot attackers to book.

The foreign secretary talks between the nations which were scheduled to be held on 15 January, has been delayed due to Pathankot attacks.

The FIR also mentions the telephone numbers contacted by the militants during the attack. It is also reported that Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif may order to register FIR against JeM chief after consulting other officials.

“A joint investigation team (JIT) comprising military and civil representatives will carry out the investigation”.

However, he did not clarify if the SIT will be dissolved or converted into JIT or a new probe team will be formed. The team is also expected to visit India. “India, especially, should not doubt our resolve and honesty”, he said.

Commenting on the FIR, Punjab Law Minister, Rana Sanaullah said that the registration of case is an ample proof of Pakistan’s commitment towards elimination of terrorism from the region. “It can interrogate anybody in Pakistan”, said the minister while speaking to media persons in Lahore.

The suspects were arrested by CTD from a seminary run by JeM in Mundeyki, where the headquarters of the 2008 Mumbai attack mastermind Hafiz Saeed’s Jamaat-u-Dawah is located.