May 04, 2024 23:57 (IST)
Terror attack : 4 terrorists, 3 soldiers killed in Pathankot gunbattle
Pathankot, Jan 2 (IBNS) Four militants and three soldiers were killed in a fierce gun battle after terrorists launched an assault on the the Pathankot air force base in Punjab on Saturday morning, reports said.
Even as there was a lull in the battle that continued for hours, fresh shots were heard as combing operations started and it is suspected that more terrorists are hiding somewhere nearby.
Defence sources have been quoted as saying that the surviving terrorists may be now out of the air base.
An army helicopter is conducting sorties to trace the surviving terrorists, said to be belonging to the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM). The attackers were reportedly from Bhawalpur in Pakistan and were ordered to blow up the helicopters stationed at the base
The terror attack came within 10 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goodwill visit to Pakistan. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "We want good ties with Pakistan but a befitting reply will be given to any terror attack."
Intelligence inputs had warned about a possibility of an attack at Pathankot -- a key air base for MiG-21 Bison fighters and Mi-35 attack helicopters, located 50 km from the border with Pakistan.
According to reports, the terrorists were contained in periphery of the air base. The area where fighter aircraft and helicopters are kept is reportedly safe.
The attack was launched aroiund 3 30 am after the terrorists entered the air base, located 50 kilometers from the border with Pakistan and 200 kilometers from state capital Chandigarh, in an official vehicle. They were wearing military uniform.
Two teams of the army's special forces, along with National Security Guard and air force's Garuda commandos lead the assault on the terrorists. Army's Casspir armoured personnel carriers were used to close in on the block.
The vehicle used by the terrorists reportedly was the car of the Superintendent of Police of Gurdaspur that was 'hijacked' in Pathankot on Friday by men in army fatigues.
The attack is suspected to have been carried out by the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Soon after the attack, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, tweeted, "That was quick. Here's the first major challenge to the PM Modi's bold Pakistan gambit."
The s attack comes six months after another terror strike in Punjab's Gurdaspur, when three terrorists opened fire in Dinanagar killing three civilians. The terrorists were shot dead after a 12-hour long gunbattle.
The terror attack came within 10 days of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's goodwill visit to Pakistan. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said, "We want good ties with Pakistan but a befitting reply will be given to any terror attack."
Intelligence inputs had warned about a possibility of an attack at Pathankot -- a key air base for MiG-21 Bison fighters and Mi-35 attack helicopters, located 50 km from the border with Pakistan.
According to reports, the terrorists were contained in periphery of the air base. The area where fighter aircraft and helicopters are kept is reportedly safe.
The attack was launched aroiund 3 30 am after the terrorists entered the air base, located 50 kilometers from the border with Pakistan and 200 kilometers from state capital Chandigarh, in an official vehicle. They were wearing military uniform.
Two teams of the army's special forces, along with National Security Guard and air force's Garuda commandos lead the assault on the terrorists. Army's Casspir armoured personnel carriers were used to close in on the block.
The vehicle used by the terrorists reportedly was the car of the Superintendent of Police of Gurdaspur that was 'hijacked' in Pathankot on Friday by men in army fatigues.
The attack is suspected to have been carried out by the terror outfit Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM).
Soon after the attack, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, Omar Abdullah, tweeted, "That was quick. Here's the first major challenge to the PM Modi's bold Pakistan gambit."
The s attack comes six months after another terror strike in Punjab's Gurdaspur, when three terrorists opened fire in Dinanagar killing three civilians. The terrorists were shot dead after a 12-hour long gunbattle.
Support Our Journalism
We cannot do without you.. your contribution supports unbiased journalism
IBNS is not driven by any ism- not wokeism, not racism, not skewed secularism, not hyper right-wing or left liberal ideals, nor by any hardline religious beliefs or hyper nationalism. We want to serve you good old objective news, as they are. We do not judge or preach. We let people decide for themselves. We only try to present factual and well-sourced news.
Support objective journalism for a small contribution.
Latest Headlines
Charred body of Congress leader found in Tamil Nadu; probe launched Sat, May 04 2024
'Can't fail to see a politician dabbling in my beloved game!': Garry Kasparov clarifies his 'little joke' on Rahul Gandhi's chess skills Sat, May 04 2024
Lalu Yadav tried to save those responsible for Godhra carnage: PM Modi in Bihar rally Sat, May 04 2024
Karnataka: HD Revanna arrested in alleged 'kidnapping' case of maid while son Prajwal Revanna remains absconding amid sex assault probe Sat, May 04 2024
Congress leader Arvinder Singh Lovely, who recently quit Delhi chief's post, joins BJP Sat, May 04 2024
India praises signing of MoU between Kathmandu, New Delhi in field of public sector audit Sat, May 04 2024
S Jaishankar reacts to Joe Biden's 'xenophobic' remark, says India is a very open society Sat, May 04 2024