Islamabad: Days after Pakistan formally formed a Joint Investigation Team (JIT) to facilitate the investigation of Pathankot terror attack, an anti-terrorism court here remanded in custody three men suspected of involvement in the strike.
According to reports, judge Bushra Zaman granted six-day physical custody of the suspects to the counter-terrorism department (CTD) of Punjab province in Pakistan.
The suspects were arrested from a rented house over suspicion of facilitating the January 2 attack in Pathankot airbase, merely 55 km from Pakistan border. Suspects Khalid Mahmood, Irshadul Haque and Muhammad Shoaib denied charges and were shifted to an undisclosed location for investigation.
The attack had left seven Indian security personnel killed. All six terrorists, suspected to be from Pakistan, were also killed in the attack on the airbase.
The five-member JIT, which includes representatives from the Inter-Services Intelligence, Military Intelligence, Intelligence Bureau and police, have replaced a special investigation team (SIT) that conducted the initial probe into the assault.
The JIT is also expected to visit India soon to gather evidence if the Indian government gives it permission.
Pakistan had on February 18 lodged an FIR in connection with the terror attack without naming JeM chief Azhar who India has accused of having masterminded the strike.
The January 2 attack had forced the postponement of a scheduled meeting between Foreign Secretaries of Pakistan in Islamabad.
With IANS Inputs
