JeM chief not yet detained by Pakistan: Intel

Exposing Pakistan’s double-speak and raising suspicion over Pakistani agencies spreading false propaganda, Indian intelligence agencies have informed the government that there has been little action by Islamabad and main accused Maulana Masood Azhar continues to roam freely. Putting a lid to the speculation that began over Azhar’s arrest or detention, which prompted New Delhi re-think the delayed foreign secretary-level talks, top government officials on Monday said there are intelligene inputs that reveal that Azhar was not put under house arrest and three of his junior functionaries who were detained in connection with cases that had no links with the Pathankot attack.

Meanwhile, the NIA on Monday got permission by a special court to conduct the polygraph test on senior Punjab police officer Salwinder Singh in connection with the Pathankot terror attack probe. Official sources said Salwinder gave his consent to undergo the test before the judge.

The court, while allowing NIA’s application, directed the agency to get the lie-detector test within three days. Further, the BSF has ordered an inquiry against senior BSF officers posted in Punjab sector to find out possible lapses along the border. Gurdaspur deputy inspector-general (DIG) N.K. Mishra and Commandant of the 132nd battalion deployed in the area S.S. Dabas have been transferred from the area “pending inquiry”, officials said.

Despite an overt attempt by Pakistan to pacify the Indian government which has been demanding action against the Patankot attack perpetrators on its soil, no case has been registered against Azhar in connection with the attack nor has any visible action taken against him, government sources said. Initial reports of Azhar being detained were completely false and suspected to be a propaganda by Pakistani agencies.

Pakistan is yet to inform India if it has registered any criminal case against the JeM or any of its activists for the Pathankot attack.

The officials said since Pakistan has announced that several individuals belonging to JeM have been apprehended, it should also disclose under which law it has detained them and started the probe.

In New Delhi, the NIA team along with Salwinder came to the court of District Judge Amarnath and moved an application seeking court’s permission to conduct the lie-detector test on him.

According to court sources, during in-chamber proceedings, the NIA told the judge that there were ‘’inconsistencies’’ in the statements of Salwinder during questioning so they may be permitted to conduct the test on him. The sources said that Salwinder has given his consent to undergo the test before the judge.

Salwinder has said his car was hijacked by terrorists before they entered the Pathankot IAF base on the intervening night of December 31 and January one. He had claimed he was kidnapped by the terrorists after his visit to the shrine and later let off as they did not know his identity.