Pakistan’s track record 'not positive': India rejects joint probe in Pahalgam terror attack

India has rejected Pakistan's proposal for a joint investigation into the Pahalgam terror attack, citing Pakistan's lack of cooperation in past terror investigations like 26/11 and Pathankot. 

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri (Photo/ANI)

Image Credit: ANI

New Delhi: Citing the experience with Islamabad was “not positive” in the past cases, India on Thursday officially rejected Pakistan’s proposal for holding an impartial international probe and joint investigation in the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 tourists in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing the media persons, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said that the history and the track record of Pakistan was not well and it doesn’t give us confidence on Pakistan’s face value.

Highlighting the Mumbai terror attacks and Pathankot attacks, Misri said India provided all evidences to Pakistan, cases were registered and even judicial teams were formed but after then there was no movement in the investigation.

“.. The history and the track record well, and it is not a bright one as far as Pakistan is concerned. In pursuit of justice for victims of multiple terrorist attacks, in particular with regard to the 26/11 and Pathankot attacks, India had offered to cooperate and provided all sorts of evidence to Pakistan,” said the foreign secretary.

“Cases were registered but did not progress despite the formation of judicial teams. There was no movement on anything whatsoever. In all this, the experience has not been positive, and it does not give us confidence on face value and Pakistan's request to hold joint investigations. It is reason to believe that Pakistan uses the evidence provided by us to cover up for and defend the terrorists and obstruct the path of our investigation,” he said.

Days after the Pakistan-backed terrorists carried out attack in Pahalgam, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Sehbaz Sharief said: “The recent tragedy in Pahalgam is yet another example of this perpetual blame game, which must come to a grinding halt. Continuing with its role as a responsible country, Pakistan is open to participating in any neutral, transparent and credible investigation.”

In Pathankot terror attack, Pakistan-sponsored Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) carried out the attack on Pathankot airbase on January 2, 2016 which resulted into the killing of eight air warriors.

Pakistan offered to for a joint investigation in the case, which was accepted by India. The Pakistani Joint Investigation Team (JIT) visited Pathankot airbase from March 27 -April 01, 2016 and was provided evidence against individuals, including members of Jaish-e-Mohammed and the handlers of terrorists who facilitated and guided them.

India had been engaging the Pakistani government at various levels to speed up in the investigation but the efforts went in vain.