After operations lasting three days, security forces on Monday killed two more Pakistani terrorists within the Pathankot airbase with the Government saying six of them have now been neutralised, but it is not clear whether all the intruders have been eliminated. The nation paid its last salute to the seven security personnel who were martyred in the encounter with terrorists.
The BSF on Monday submitted a report to the Centre about the possible route taken by the attackers of the Pathankot IAF base, claiming there was no breach in the fence but there were some gaping holes along the International Border and malfunctioning of electronic surveillance equipment.
The NIA also registered three cases to probe the entire conspiracy behind the strike at the IAF base.
Meanwhile, Pakistan said it was working on the “leads” provided by India on the terror attack on the IAF base. A statement by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, “We understand the pain of many families who have lost their dear ones in this tragedy, as Pakistan itself is a major victim of terrorism. In line with Pakistan’s commitment to effectively counter and eradicate terrorism, the Government is in touch with the Indian Government and is working on the leads provided by it.”
Details of phone call records of the terrorists, mobile numbers of their handlers based in Pakistan and proof that they came from across the border are expected to be shared with the neighbouring country when officials of the two sides meet in near future.
Indian Government officials said that whenever the two sides meet, be it at the Foreign Secretary-level or in National Security Adviser-level, all proof of Pakistani links of the terrorists would be given for action.
Meanwhile, as the counter-terror operation at the Pathankot airbase continued, officials confirmed the death of at least six terrorists even though they did not say how many more could still be holed up.
Till now the exact number of terrorists who sneaked into the airbase from Pakistan remains unknown. Sources said the real number would only be known after the operation ends and the bodies are recovered.
They said the entire airbase that is spread over 2,000 acres will be sanitised after the operation and it would take some time to get the real picture.
Till now, seven security personnel have lost their lives while battling the heavily-armed, well-trained terrorists and major precautions are being taken while sanitising the area to prevent any further casualties as the dense foliage, forests and elephant grass provides good cover and can be used by the militants to their advantage.
Commanding Officer lieutenant-Colonel JS Dhamoon, described the base as a "mini-city" that includes homes for families and a school for the children of the personnel stationed there. The circumference of the airbase is a whopping 24 km, thus the security forces will need a lot of time before they can declare the area sanitised and halt the operation.
Talking to mediapersons, Inspector General, NSG, Major-General Dushyant Singh said the operations were still going on. "We have been able to eliminate the fifth terrorist. Combing and search operations will continue," he said. Singh said that security forces comprising NSG, the Army, Air Force with its air and ground assets, police and Intelligence agencies were working in sync to make the operation successful.
"All the assets of the airbase, including personnel and families, have been secured and are safe," he said. "Given the magnitude of the base, the operations will continue till we are able to fully render it safe."
Intermittent firing was heard from the airbase even in the evening even though there was no official confirmation whether it was from the terrorists holed up or the security personnel who have surrounded the entire area and are present in large numbers to prevent any possible escape.
The terrorists infiltrated the IAF base before dawn on Saturday after abducting a SP-rank official and commandeering his SUV. It led to a fierce gunbattle with security forces. Four terrorists died on Saturday after 15 hours of fighting.
Officials involved in the counter-offensive said the terrorists were well prepared and heavily armed and wanted to target strategic assets of the IAF at the base where a MIG-21 Bison fighter squadron and MI-35 attack helicopters are stationed.
Punjab Police commandoes, who are in the outer periphery, were also conducting searches in nearby villages for possible accomplices of the terrorists. NSG and Army commandos conducted a thorough mopping of the entire area where the terrorists, suspected to be from Pakistan and trained by the outlawed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) outfit, had been cornered, police said.
As many as 20 security personnel, including 12 from the NSG and eight from the IAF, have been injured. A grievously injured securityman was flown to Chandigarh.
IAF Garud commando Gursewak Singh was cremated with military honours on Monday in his village Garnala in Haryana's Ambala district. Hundreds thronged the venue. Gursewak Singh, 25, was killed on Saturday. The commando had got married only about 45 days ago.
In Punjab's Gurdaspur district, international-level shooting champion Subedar Major Fateh Singh was cremated with military honours. Breaking tradition, his daughter led the coffin bearers. Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal visited the families of Fateh Singh and Havildar Kulwant Singh in their native villages Jhandewal Khurd and Chak Sharif in Gurdaspur district.
Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal urged the centre to accord "sensitive" status to areas along the International Border with Pakistan in view of the recent attacks by the terrorists.