National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Monday filed a chargesheet in Pathankot terror attack. NIA named Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) chief Masood Azhar as the mastermind of the terror attack on the Pathankot Airbase in January.
The NIA also named Azhar’s brother Abdul Rauf Asghar and two handlers – Shahid Latif and Kashif Jan in the chargesheet filed in the Panchkula special court.
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In the chargesheet filed at Mohali court, they have been charged for offences under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including the Arms Act, the Explosive Substances Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act.
The chargesheet states that the same offences were also established against the attackers from the JeM – Nasir Hussain, Hafiz Abu Bakar, Umar Farooq and Abdul Qayum – who executed the terror attack at the airbase on January 2.
As quoted in a report, DG NIA, Sharad Kumar, said:
“Investigation was extensive and done in a professional manner by our teams. We have collected digital, oral and documentary evidence which is irrefutable and nails the role of JeM terrorists, it’s handlers and chief Maulana Masood Azhar.”
Earlier, the Home Ministry reportedly had given sanction to NIA to file the chargesheet against Azhar, Jaan and Shaid Latif, under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
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The four terrorists, after entering into India from Bamiyal area of Gurdaspur, had carried out the strike at the Pathankot IAF base killing eight people including seven personnel of IAF and NSG.