Illegal entry was allowed at Pathankot Airbase for Rs 50: Srcs

Glaring lapses have come to the fore in the probe in the Pathankot Air Force base terror attack. On the one hand there was almost no effective security at the IAF base, said sources, adding that illegal entry was being allowed inside Airbase for as little as Rs 50.

According to the sources, investigation has revealed that locals were allowed to enter Airbase with their cattle if they paid Rs 50.The sources added that it is clear that an inside help was provided to the terrorists. The call detail examination and technical investigation are on to ascertain who provided inside help. Mobile tower records around the junkyard where terrorist hid are also being examined, sources added.

Meanwhile, Home Minister Rajnath Singh said that there was no reason to doubt Pakistan's commitment in Pathankot attack probe. "Pakistan has given an assurance of action, let us wait and see their response. As of now there is no reason to doubt Pakistan's commitment," said Singh.

The NIA also continues to question Gurdaspur Superintendent of Police Salwinder Singh for the second day on Tuesday. He is one of the prime witnesses in the Pathankot terror attacks case, but is questioned as a prime suspect because of his conflicting statements.

The sources said that even on the second day of his questioning, the NIA is not satisfied with the answers that he gave. The agency is likely to question him again. He may also be asked to undertake a lie detector test.

The NIA had issued summons to Salwinder Singh, who is at present Assistant Commandant of 75th battalion of Punjab Armed Police, to appear before the agency for questioning as there were some discrepancies in his statement to the NIA and Punjab Police.

Salwinder Singh had claimed that he, along with his cook and a friend, were abducted by terrorists on his way back from Panj Pir shrine. Singh has been under the scanner for giving contradictory versions of his story.

Singh, along with his jeweller friend Rajesh Verma and cook Madan Gopal, were allegedly kidnapped by terrorists on the intervening night of December 31 and January 1 before they entered the IAF base in Pathankot and carried out a terror strike on the following intervening night in which seven security personnel including a Lt Colonel of NSG were killed.

Singh was recently shunted as SP (headquarters) of Gurdaspur following allegation of breach of discipline.