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Pathankot attack: Army rejects Pak's charge of 'insider role'

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Press Trust of India Jammu
Army today rejected Pakistan's allegation of "insider's role" in the terrorist attack on Pathankot airbase and said it was planned and sponsored from across the border.

National Investigation Agency (NIA) that probed the terrorist attack has ruled out the role of an "insider", the General officer Commanding in Chief (GoC-in-C) of the western command of Army, Lt Gen K J Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function today.

"NIA has carried out a thorough probe an investigation and said that there was no insider hand. The statement of the Pakisatni team is incorrect", he said.

Singh said the attack on the airbase was "planned and sponsored" from across the border.
 

"It (the attack) was all sponsored, controlled, planned and logistics provided from across the border, especially by Jaish-e-Mohammed. People have been named, we have asked for Red Corner notice against them," he said.

"Our investigation agency has carried a very thorough probe. They have screened the concerned people and a conclusivejudgment has been arrived at that there was no insider hand", Lt Gen Singh said.

Pakistan's Joint Investigation Team (JIT) had visited India in March in connection with the probe in the Pathankot terror attack perpetrated by the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).

The terrorists had intruded into the strategic air base at Pathankot on the intervening night of January one-two and mounted the assault. In the fierce encounter that erupted, seven security personnel besides four terrorists were killed.
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Asked about the Pakistani rangers' statement that they had no role in the cross border tunnel detected in the R S Pura sector, he said India need to remain vigilant, as Pakistan will not give up "their efforts".

"It is unfortunate...Tunnel was detected accidentally, so it is a fact that they (Pakistani side) will not give up their efforts, but we should remain vigilant", Lt Gen Singh said.

On the allegations leveled by some people that the Army was not allowing them to construct the second storey of their houses near an ammunition depot he said it is necessary for the security of the nation.

"See if you have to secure your nation, you have to make some sacrifice, no security can be done without sacrifice," Lt Gen Singh said.

He said, that people need to be made aware about the terrorist activities and it is the common civilian who can give information about militant activities to the Army.

"Terrorist who infiltrate moves about 10 to 15 km inside Indian territory, he has to change his clothes, he often takes lift or hijacks a car and there are certain civilians who spot this activity and if they inform the security agencies at an early stage such activities can be tackled", he said.

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First Published: May 19 2016 | 11:48 PM IST

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