Fresh firing has been reported at the Pathankot Air Force base on January 4, with more terrorists suspected to be hiding in the area. Reinforcements have been sent to the area of operation. Around 12 National Security Guards (NSG) have been injured.
A joint operation by the armed forces, police and security personnel combing the area is still underway and the NIA has taken over the probe. Five companies of army, armed with bulldozers, have been sent to speed up the operation against the terrorists. Choppers have continuously kept flying over the air force station to provide aerial support to the ground troops engaged in the operation against the terrorists.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is monitoring the situation closely and had also chaired a high-level meeting earlier. “Security operations to secure the Pathankot Indian Air Force facility from two remaining terrorists are in the final stages and will conclude only after all assets are physically combed,” the National Security Guard said on January 4. “The area is very large, the combing ops might take a long time,” an NSG official said.
With the terror siege at the IAF base in Pathankot entering the third day, soldiers armed with weapons such as rocket launchers and mortar guns besides other sophisticated weapons had entered the airbase in army trucks in the morning.
The Pathankot attack, which came a few days after Mr Modi’s visit to Lahore, has raised questions about the trajectory of recently revived engagement between India and Pakistan. The fate of the Foreign Secretary level talks to be held on January 15 also remains uncertain at the moment.
Author Profile
- India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.
Latest entries
- Business with IndiaDecember 7, 2024New Uzbekistan aligns well with Viksit Bharat: Smita Pant
- DiplomacyDecember 6, 2024India and Vietnam Strengthen Security Ties at 3rd Deputy Ministerial-Level Dialogue
- India and the WorldDecember 6, 2024India and UK Revitalize Strategic Ties at 2+2 Dialogue in New Delhi
- India and the WorldDecember 4, 2024Jaishankar Updates parliament on India-China ties: Disengagement achieved, de-escalation next step