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Pathankot attack: Punjab police officer, friend and cook being interrogated by NIA

by IBNS 06 Jan 2016, 08:13 am

Pathankot, Jan 6 (IBNS) Punjab police officer Salwinder Singh, his friend and cook, who were allegedly abducted by the terrorists a day before the attack on the Pathankot air base on Saturday, are being questioned by the National Investigation Agency.

Reports quoted police as saying that  there are many inconsistencies in the statement of the men. Salwinder Singh is a Superintendent of Police.

 "I can't say anything lightly. After the recent media reports, we will question him ,"  NDTV quoted Sharad Kumar, sensior officer of NIA as saying.

Altogether seven military personnel were martyred and 20 injured in the Pathankot attack, while six terrorists were killed.

The abduction of  Singh and his friends sounded an alarm that made authorities rush for preparedness against possible attacks. But now questions are being raised about the abduction and the contradictions in the men's statements. 

 Singh, his cook Madan Gopal and a jeweller, Rajesh Verma -- have said were on their way to Gurdaspur after a visit to a shrine in Pathankot on Thursday in Mr Singh's official car when they flagged down by terrorists dressed in army fatigues.

The abductors dumped  Singh and his cook Madan Gopal in a forest, and drove off with Mr Verma. The terrorists had apparently used the vehicle to reach the air base - it was found abandoned nearby. Mr Verma, who was left injured in the car, has survived.

There have been conflicting versions on how many terrorists had abducted the men. However, the abducted men claim they were unable to give exact details since they were blindfolded, bound and gagged.