lauding the security forces for their counter-offensive against the six Pakistan-based terrorists who were neutralised after they attacked the Pathankot airbase, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who flew in here on Saturday a week after the attack, said he was satisfied with the “decision-making and its execution”.
Modi also visited the families of the seven security personnel killed in the attack and did an aerial survey of areas along the border.
“Noted with satisfaction the decision-making & its execution, the considerations that went into our tactical response,” Modi tweeted through his PMO India Twitter handle. The operation against the terrorists had lasted for nearly 95 hours and the end of the combat part was announced on Tuesday evening. Combing of the entire base ended on Friday. Security forces repulsed the attack and the terrorists were unable to harm any of the IAF’s critical assets, including fighter aircraft and attack helicopters.
Incidentally, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar who had visited the base on January 5 admitted to “some gaps” in security preparedness that led to the attack.
Modi, accompanied by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, was briefed by senior Defence and security officers about the terrorist attack, carried out by Jaish-e-Mohammed fidayeen in which seven security personnel lost their lives and as many as 12 were injured.
Indian Army chief, General Dalbir Singh Suhag, and the IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Western Command chief were also present at the airbase during the visit.
“Visited Pathankot airbase today. Had a detailed briefing from senior leadership of Army, Air Force, NSG & BSF,” Modi tweeted. “Was briefed in great detail on how our forces neutralised such a serious terrorist attack,” he said. “Also noted coordination among various field units. lauded bravery & determination of our men & women on the ground. They are our pride,” he added.
In his brief visit, the Prime Minister also undertook an aerial survey of the areas along the Indo-Pak border.
He was briefed about the barbed wire fencing along the border and the need to strengthen the border belt with better and complete fencing and more ground troops to prevent infiltration by terrorists in future, Army sources said.
It is understood that the PM also met family members of security personnel who were killed in the terror strike during his 90-minute visit.
The operational team which took part in the anti-terror operation killing six terrorists, briefed Modi about the attack and the counter-offensive launched against the perpetrators with the help of maps, aerial pictures and operational photographs.
Officials of the NIA, which has taken over the probe into the attack, also briefed the PM on the progress of the investigation.
So soon after the terror attack, tight security arrangements were in place for the Prime Minister’s visit in and around Pathankot. No one was allowed to enter the area near the Air Force base. Modi was taken around the airbase by the Defence and security officers.
As the key airbase is on the frontline, no live telecast of the visit was allowed. Even the media was kept away. Earlier also, when the media was taken to the area after the attack, no cameras were allowed.
The PM’s visit comes in the wake of criticism by the Opposition of the Government’s ‘failure’ in handling the terror assault which led to the death of seven security personnel, including a lieutenant-Colonel of the National Security Guards.