Pathankot attack: Pak team finds no evidence against JeM chief Azhar

A team, constituted by Pakistan to investigate into the attack on Indian airbase in Pathankot last month, has concluded that there is no substantive evidence to suggest that Maulana Masood Azhar, the chief of the outlawed Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant group, masterminded the deadly assault.

A team, constituted by Pakistan to investigate into the attack on Indian airbase in Pathankot last month, has concluded that there is no substantive evidence to suggest that Maulana Masood Azhar, the chief of the outlawed Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM) militant group, masterminded the deadly assault.

Pakistani authorities have conveyed to New Delhi that there was no substantial evidence that could prove the involvement of Maulana Azhar in the Pathankot assault. (AP)

According to The Express Tribune, Pakistani authorities have conveyed to New Delhi that there was no substantial evidence that could prove the involvement of Maulana Azhar in the Pathankot assault.”

Quoting sourcess, the Express Tribune said that the SIT informed the civil and military leadership in Pakistan in a last week meeting that the Indian evidence was insufficient to implicate Maulana Azhar. The team, however did not rule out involvement of some low cadre members of the JeM.

Six gunmen attacked the airbase in Pathankot on 2 January, leading to a three-day-long standoff that killed seven soldiers. Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) after India shared the ‘leads’ with Pakistan.

Subsequently, a crackdown was launched in Punjab against the JeM, its headquarters were sealed and dozens of activists detained.

The SIT has since been working on the Indian ‘leads’. It is also expected to visit India to study the evidence the Indians have.

Meanwhile talks between India and Pakistan have been suspended till the former sees action by Pakistan against those responsible for the Pathankot attack.