We’ll give DNA samples, cell info to Pakistan: NIA chief

NIA, which is leading the probe into the Pathankot terror attack, will seek Pakistan's help to crack the case after gathering evidence on the ground. The probe agency is working in coordination with others like IB, BSF, Punjab Police, IAF, Army and NSG which were involved in the operation. TOI's Neeraj Chauhan spoke to NIA Director General Sharad Kumar.

Q: It's a big case. What all you would be looking at?

Sharad Kumar: We have registered three cases - first related to SP Salwinder Singh's abduction, second for the killing of taxi driver Ikagar Singh and third related to the attack at air force station. It's a very wide and challenging probe for which we have 20 officers on the ground while I am also going there for three days to assess the evidence on the ground.

Q: It is almost clear now that these militants came from Pakistan. Will you probe the role of ISI and what help will you seek from Pakistan?

SK: We will be sending a Letter Rogatory (judicial request) to Pakistan as soon as possible on the basis of DNA of militants' bodies, voice samples in the intercepted calls, call details, numbers and other evidence and we hope to get assistance. It is too early to say whether ISI is involved. The probe has just begun and it will take some time for us to reach any conclusion on who planned it.

Q: How is NIA planning to go about identifying the route, planning, and the larger conspiracy?

SK: It's going to be a mammoth investigation as so many agencies are involved. We are coordinating with IB, Punjab Police and everyone who was involved in the operation. Our teams have already checked border areas with the BSF and other agencies and we will have details of the whole conspiracy very soon.

Q: Will SP Salwinder Singh be questioned?

SK: Yes. We will verify his statement with circumstances and others in the case. In fact, everybody who is connected to this attack in anyway will be examined to get any clues.

Q: Is Jaish-e-Mohammad involved in the attack?

SK: The initial pointers suggest that Jaish was behind the attack but it cannot be concluded till we complete the investigations. United Jihad Council has also claimed that it carried out the attack. So it will be too early to name an organisation for the conspiracy. We need to first gather evidence to support any claims.

Q: Was NIA immediately handed over Pathankot terror probe, unlike Gurdaspur attack by Lashkar-e-Toiba, where the state government first refused to hand over the case?

SK: Yes. Our teams are there since January 3 and we are getting a lot of support from the state government.

Q: Can you elaborate on the kind of arms, ammunition and other articles the terrorists were carrying for conducting such a long-drawn attack?

SK: The probe has just begun and we need to check everything on the ground before giving any details.