Saturday’s terrorist attack on an Air Force base in Pathankot has raised eyebrows as it is the second such attack in Punjab within a year. The attack which took place in the early hours is one among a series of attacks targeting the state.
As security forces are engaged in an operation against terrorists, here’s how things played out.
- The terrorists had hijacked a police vehicle from Pathankot on Thursday, as they were dressed in army fatigues and pushed out the police officer and seized his cell phone.
- Following this, security forces intercepted phone calls late on Friday, which suggested a terrorist plot and had authorities on alert. Three calls were made to handlers in Pakistan, one was to an attacker’s mother.
- A warning was issued following the intercept and NSA Ajit Doval held a meeting, as orders from Prime Minister’s Office pushed teams from National Security guard and Indian Army Special Forces into action in Pathankot.
- Despite security arrangements, the terrorists attacked the Air base on 3:30 am. They engaged the security forces in a fierce gun-battle, killing two IAF personnel and one Garuda commando.
- Thanks to the information that has authorities on an alert, the attackers were contained inside the air base, as armoured vehicles closed in on the area they were confined to.
- Although the exact number of the terrorists involved is not clear, four of them are dead, as operations are still underway.
- While the plans of the terrorists, meant to destroy IAF assets, was foiled, fresh reports suggest that a fifth attacker was neutralised, as combing operations continue.
- Meanwhile the BJP said that one attack cannot be allowed to stall the resumed dialogue between India and Pakistan.
- According to Radio Pakistan, the administration in Pakistan condemned the attack, extended condolences to bereaved families, and wished speedy recovery to injured people.
All images sourced from PTI