Terrorists who attacked Pathankot air base might have received inside help

According to a CNN-IBN report, the attack was planned as a much bigger strike than the 26/11 Mumbai terror assault. After the armed forces successfully neutralised the six terrorists, questions are now being raised as to how the terrorists entered the Airbase.

The report quoted sources as saying that  it would have been impossible for the terrorists to enter the Airbase without any inside help. Questions are also being raised on how the terrorists managed to hide inside the Airbase for 12 hours.

According to reports,  the National Security Advisor has called an emergency meeting after intercepting calls between the terrorists and their handlers. During the meeting, the NSA decided to move nine columns of Army and the National Security Guard to the Air Base.

It is also learnt that five out of the six jawans, who were martyred in the attack, were unarmed and that Lt Colonel Niranjan's death was an accident.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has lauded the Defence forces and said that they fought with all their might against the terrorists

"We have to be very proud not because we lost seven jawans, but full unit fought with such a intensity without losing a direct operational loss containing fidayeen terrorist keeping them within 100 metre. Best could have, we blocked them at Border itself but somehow they manage enter but when it came to fight, we fought," said Parrikar.

Combing operations in the Airbase were officially over after over 100 hours, the Western Command said.

Citing difficulty in the operations, Lieutenant General KJ Singh said that the area of operation was very difficult. We had to avoid a hostage situation.