Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who rushed back to New Delhi from Panaji after learning about the terror attack on Pathankot airbase, chaired a high-level meeting here on Saturday. He was briefed by National Security Advisor(NSA) Ajit Doval and the three Service Chiefs and Defence Secretary also attended the meeting which lasted more than 90 minutes.
The Minister was apprised about the entire operation including the flow of intelligence inputs and the action taken by the security forces to neutralize the threat, officials said. The Armed Forces decided to have a relook at security around all vital installations including vital airfields in forward areas and army camps in operational areas like Jammu and Kashmir.
The National Highway connecting Punjab to Jammu has seen more than four attacks on army camps located on it by militants in the last two years. The main reason for these terror strikes is proximity of the international border with Pakistan to the Highway and terrain dotted by small rivulets and elephantine grass providing cover to infiltrating militants. The Navy will also review its security measures on all naval bases, officials said adding security drill was further strengthened around all defence establishments throughout the country.
Doval, who closely monitored the operation which began some time before midnight on Friday, briefed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday morning and Parrikar gave Modi the latest updates about operational preparedness of the armed force shortly before the Prime Minister left for Mysuru.
Officials also said the joint operation by the Army, National Security Guards(NSG), Garuda commando force of IAF besides Punjab Police was given clearance at the highest levels to cut down response time and not allow terrorists a free run and chance to escape. IAF top brass headed by its chief Arup Raha also reviewed the situation at Air Force Headquarters in New Delhi in the afternoon, officials said.