New Delhi: Disapproving of Pakistan’s apparent disappointment that its JIT was not allowed to meet witnesses from the security forces, India on Thursday said the work of the Pakistan probe team was as per the Terms of Reference (ToR), agreed by their respective governments, thereby indicating that both countries had agreed on the ToR. The ministry of external affairs spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the JIT visit was on a reciprocal basis and in accordance with the existing legal provisions.
Asked about the Pakistan Foreign Office statement on Wednesday night that its JIT was not allowed to meet witnesses from the security forces, the MEA spokesperson said, “The work of the JIT in India was as per the ToR which were agreed between the two governments through their respective foreign offices. They are on reciprocal basis and in accordance with the existing legal provisions.”
“It was agreed much in advance of Pakistan’s JIT’s visit that they would not get access to any defence personnel involved in Pathankot operation,” a home ministry official was quoted by news agencies, as saying.
The Terms of Reference for the visit say the JIT would collect, review and document physical evidence regarding the Pathankot incident, collect pieces of forensic evidence for possible matching with specimens of relevant individuals in Pakistan.
The team would collect, collate, analyse and document electronic/ digital evidence, visit crime scene and other relevant places related to Pathankot investigation, it says.
“The JIT would share with Indian counterparts details of investigation conducted by it upto the time of the visit, get briefing from National Investigation Agency of India about the investigation conducted by them besides performing any other task associated with the investigation,” it said.
According to the methodology and timeframe of JIT, it would interview key witnesses and victims related to the investigation.
“It will visit crime scene and other relevant places associated with the investigation and collect necessary physical, forensic, digital and other evidence available or in possession of the Indian authorities.
“The JIT will process evidence in the most professional manner and establish a chain of custody to ensure admissibility of evidence in the relevant court of law. The JIT intends to stay in India for about a week from the date of its arrival,” it said.
