Pathankot 'crime scene' in NIA hands, up to them to let anyone enter: Manohar Parrikar

QUEPEM: Literally washing his hands off the controversy over the entry of a Pakistani investigation team to the Pathankot airbase that was attacked in January, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that the `crime scene’ is being controlled by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and it is up to them to grant access to anyone on the site.

Making his displeasure at the arrival of the Pakistani team in Pathankot clear, the minister said that specific instructions have been issued by him to deny any help – from using the airfield for an incoming flight to access to any military personnel or facilities.


Follow @ETDefence Twitter handle for comprehensive coverage on other buzzing Defence stories



“We have specifically refused permission to go anywhere in the air base. However, the area where the actual crime scene took place has been handed over long back to the NIA for investigation. Who has to be taken there, who investigates depends on the decision of the NIA,” the defence minister said.

While the minister refused to comment on the correctness of the NIA to allow permission, he said that the `crime scene’ has been completely barricaded from the rest of the base – both visually and physically. “The area was the least sensitive and was a non-functional zone. It has been completely barricaded and nothing beyond it is visible,” the minister said.

Parrikar, who had earlier taken a strong position against allowing Pakistan investigators to enter the base, said that as the crime scene is in full control of NIA, the agency was responsible for letting investigators in. “Permission to land at the airbase has been refused, to use any defence platform has been refused and to speak to any defence personnel has been refused,” Parrikar said.