More links of Pathankot attackers to Pakistan emerged

Pathankot: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has got body tissues of the terrorists preserved for DNA sampling, following post-mortem examinations of the terrorists’ bodies at the Pathankot Civil hospital on Thursday.

In the course of investigation, DNA Samples have been collected from the vehicles used by the terrorists and are being sent for forensic examination. Besides, footprints, which are suspected to be of the terrorists, have been lifted by forensic experts from Bamihal village in the border area and from the Air Force station premises, and have been sent to a Central Forensic Science Lab (CFSL) for examination.

Meanwhile, all arms and ammunitions used by the terrorists in the attack have also been seized. These included AK series rifles, pistols, grenades and assorted ammunition.

Other articles found on the bodies of the terrorists and from the crime scene and suspected to belong to the terrorists have been seized. These included food articles and medicines carried by the terrorists. Search of the Air Force station campus is being conducted to recover any trace evidence left behind by the terrorists.

The investigation agencies have reportedly found wrappers and packets of medicines and syringes bearing name of Karachi and Pakistan from a building at the Pathankot Air base, where terrorists had taken shelter during the attack.

Besides, two mobile phone numbers of Pakistan, on which terrorists had made calls, were also detected.

Meanwhile, a National Investigation Agency (NIA) team visited the house of jeweller Rajesh Verma, friend of Gurdaspur Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh, who was driving the car when they were said to have abducted by the terrorists on the night of December 31.

The team has recorded his statement and cross examined him.

Salwinder Singh has been summoned to the NIA headquarters on Monday for questioning.

Four NIA teams are camping in districts of Punjab to verify the facts and examine witnesses in close cooperation with Punjab Police. (ANI)