New Delhi, January 12: The Union Home Ministry told the Ministry of External Affairs that the National Investigation Agency (NIA) is yet to complete its investigation into the Samjhauta blast case so it would be premature to share details of the 2007 blast probe with Pakistan.
The Home Ministry’s refusal to share information comes a day after Pakistan summoned India’s acting deputy high commissioner G V Srinivas in Islamabad and requested information on the investigation following Swami Aseemanand’s confession to his and his associates’ role in the blast.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao had confirmed on Monday that Mr Srinivas was summoned by Pakistan Foreign Office.
She said, ”Acting Deputy High Commissioner G V Srinivas was summoned by Pakistan Foreign Office and they referred to media reports that have been surfacing about investigations in Samjhauta Express train blast. That was basically the meeting was about, they (Pakistan) have requested for any information that India would have to share with them in this regard. That has been conveyed to us by our High Commission in Islamabad and that is where the matter rests at the moment.” The issue may come up for discussion by the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries on the sidelines of a SAARC meeting in Bhutan during February 6-7.
Importantly, the NIA yesterday announced cash rewards of Rs 22 lakh for anyone providing any information leading to the arrest of three accused in the Samjhauta blast case.
–UNI