At least four gunmen were killed after two teams of terrorists launched an attack on the Air Force base in Punjab's Pathankot on Saturday morning, authorities said. Two more were holed up in the administrative block of the base. After an operation to neutralise the attackers that lasted for more than 60 hours, all six terrorists have now been shot dead. Combing operations to secure the area are still on.
The encounter lasted for about 38 hours, the rest of the time went in combing operations to mainly find any live explosives: Manohar Parrikar
I congratulate soldiers for being able to push the terrorists to a corner and flesh them out: Manohar Parrikar
- The NIA has got initial leads, let them complete the investigation. They have an idea where the terrorists came from and how they entered. We can only share this much at this moment.
Combing operations could end till tomorrow or day after. But that's the call of the NIA: Defence Minister
- I would like to congratulate the soldiers as they were able to secure all national assets.
- 5 soldiers were killed which was our bad luck. All martyrs and injured will be considered as battle casualties and their families will be given all related benefits. State government have also announced compensations.
- In the investigation so far, some of the equipment used by the terrorists was made in Pakistan. We'll know more after the investigation is complete.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar's Statement After Pathankot Operation Ends
- In this operation 6 terrorists have been neutralised. Two of those bodies are burnt badly. DNA confirmation will have to be done to double check.
- Combing operations are on. Explosives and high quality ammunition was used by the terrorist.
Cook Abducted By Terrorists In Pathankot Alleges He Was tortured By Police Too
Cook Madan Gopal, 61, who was in the police SUV that was hijacked by terrorists in Punjab last week, alleges that he was beaten up and tortured by the police when they questioned him after the incident.
Cook Madan Gopal, 61, who was in the police SUV that was hijacked by terrorists in Punjab last week, alleges that he was beaten up and tortured by the police when they questioned him after the incident.
I am an upright, religious person. I have done no wrong: Punjab police officer Salwinder Singh
No one would have raised a question had i died. It is by God's grace that i am alive: Punjab police officer Salwinder Singh
I was going to a Gurdwara, hence was unarmed and without security: Punjab police officer Salwinder Singh
They tied my hands & legs and then blindfolded me: Punjab police officer Salwinder Singh
Terrorists didn't know I was an SP. They were speaking in Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi: Punjab police officer Salwinder Singh
They had AK-47 and threatened to shoot us. I knew right away that they were terrorists. They snatched away my phones, but they didn't know i had a third phone: Punjab police officer Salwinder Singh
4-5 people stopped our car and abducted us: Punjab police officer Salwinder Singh
'Knew Right Away They Were Terrorists,' Says Abducted Cop
'Terrorists didn't know I was Superintendent of Police, my hands and legs were tied up,' says cop who was abducted by the terrorists who attacked the air force base.
'Terrorists didn't know I was Superintendent of Police, my hands and legs were tied up,' says cop who was abducted by the terrorists who attacked the air force base.
Mr Gadkari warned that Pakistan would be given a "befitting reply" if it did not does not mend its ways
"We want friendship with them (Pakistan). That does not mean that we are weak. If Pakistan continues to do such acts then we will give them tit for tat (eent ka jawab patthar se denge)," he warned, in an obvious reference to the terror attack in Pathankot. He was speaking in Hyderabad.
"We want friendship with them (Pakistan). That does not mean that we are weak. If Pakistan continues to do such acts then we will give them tit for tat (eent ka jawab patthar se denge)," he warned, in an obvious reference to the terror attack in Pathankot. He was speaking in Hyderabad.
Condemning the attack, Pakistan has said it is working on leads provided by India.
"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," said a press release by the foreign affairs ministry of Pakistan.
"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," said a press release by the foreign affairs ministry of Pakistan.
Working on leads provided by India, committed to sustained dialogue, says Pakistan
Presence of more terrorists in Pathankot air base not ruled out, say sources. Security forces to continue the operation till the area is secured.
Terrorists were dropped on the Pakistani side of the border in two cars, say sources
Trained terrorists, suicide squads with the objective to inflict maximum damage: Arun Jaitley on Pathankot attack
- The nation mourns the death of soldiers. It is very unfortunate. The security forces were directed to minimise the casualties.
- Such operations take time because there's a likelihood of explosives planted across the area.
- The prompt action taken by our security forces to contain the terrorists at the entry saved our national assets.
Terror attack on Air Force base in Pathankot is highly condemnable. Kudos to brave soldiers for dispelling the attack & salute to martyrs.
- Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 2, 2016All six terrorists who launched an attack on a key air force base in Punjab's Pathankot on Saturday morning have been killed
Latest From Air Base
- No firing or explosion heard for a few hours now
- Search on for any remaining terrorist
- NIA and security agencies have been checking around Bamiyal village - this village is on the Ugh river - possible route of infiltration
Why Have You Fallen Behind, Group 2 Of Pathankot Terrorists Asked
In an intercepted call, handlers for the terrorists are reportedly heard asking why second group of attackers had fallen behind. Investigators now say they are sure that the attackers infiltrated India together, but then split up to avoid detection.
In an intercepted call, handlers for the terrorists are reportedly heard asking why second group of attackers had fallen behind. Investigators now say they are sure that the attackers infiltrated India together, but then split up to avoid detection.
Day 3 of Pathankot operation live updates: https://t.co/ogSDB4RdGopic.twitter.com/KI8MipcJRO
- NDTV (@ndtv) January 4, 2016NSG Briefs Media On Attack
1) Operations for this airbase are going on smoothly.
2) All strategic assets at the air base are safe
3) Given the magnitude, operation to eliminate terrorists being done jointly by NSG and Garud.
4) Eliminated 4 terrorists, operations to eliminate 2 more possible terrorists are in the final stages
5) Area of airbase being very large, combing ops are going on simultaneously
1) Operations for this airbase are going on smoothly.
2) All strategic assets at the air base are safe
3) Given the magnitude, operation to eliminate terrorists being done jointly by NSG and Garud.
4) Eliminated 4 terrorists, operations to eliminate 2 more possible terrorists are in the final stages
5) Area of airbase being very large, combing ops are going on simultaneously
Two Terror Teams Struck Pathankot, Reveal Officials To NDTV
After saying all the terrorists who attacked the Pathankot air base near the Pakistan border were dead, officials said at least two attackers remained and vowed to kill them today to end a more than 48-hour siege.
After saying all the terrorists who attacked the Pathankot air base near the Pakistan border were dead, officials said at least two attackers remained and vowed to kill them today to end a more than 48-hour siege.
Family members in mourning as mortal remains of Garud Commando Gursewak Singh arrive in Garnala (Ambala) pic.twitter.com/e6R70Jofoc
- ANI (@ANI_news) January 4, 2016
Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah at Bengaluru's BEL Ground pays tribute to NSG Lt Col Niranjan #PathankotAttackpic.twitter.com/QAsccXqWIR
- ANI (@ANI_news) January 4, 2016What we know so far
- Senior police officer and his cook, abducted by terrorists a day before the attack, are being questioned by National Investigation Agency. Their version of the sequence of events is being verified on the ground
- Possibility of terrorist entering in two groups is being looked at very seriously. This had happen in last year Uri attack on an army camp.
- Border Security Force submitting report to Home Ministry on possible infiltration routes
- Operations at the air base, where terrorists had launched a pre-dawn attack on Saturday, had continued overnight.
JUST IN
Heavy gunfire has been heard from inside the Pathankot air base in Punjab, where the operation against holed in terrorists entered its third day
Heavy gunfire has been heard from inside the Pathankot air base in Punjab, where the operation against holed in terrorists entered its third day
Security deployed outside Indian Air Force Base in #Pathankot (visuals deferred by unspecified time) pic.twitter.com/5GYWZLPRRS
- ANI (@ANI_news) January 4, 2016
Every evidence that shows state support in nature of such acts must be used to bring pol embarrassment internationally upon Pak: AM Singhvi
- ANI (@ANI_news) January 3, 2016With nightfall, guns fall silent at Pathankot
After intermittent firing and occasional sounds of explosion since 3 pm on Sunday, guns have fallen silent at the Pathankot air force station, reports NDTV's Sudhi Ranjan Sen.
Active operations seem to have been wrapped up for the day with at least one more terrorist killed during the day. Four were killed yesterday.
Authorities however are yet to confirm the death of any terrorists today, waiting for the bodies to be recovered.
Extreme caution needs to be exercised in removing the bodies amid concerns of booby traps and explosives. Indian forces don't want to take undue risks and seem to be in favour of wrapping up operations in daylight tomorrow, sources say.
After intermittent firing and occasional sounds of explosion since 3 pm on Sunday, guns have fallen silent at the Pathankot air force station, reports NDTV's Sudhi Ranjan Sen.
Active operations seem to have been wrapped up for the day with at least one more terrorist killed during the day. Four were killed yesterday.
Authorities however are yet to confirm the death of any terrorists today, waiting for the bodies to be recovered.
Extreme caution needs to be exercised in removing the bodies amid concerns of booby traps and explosives. Indian forces don't want to take undue risks and seem to be in favour of wrapping up operations in daylight tomorrow, sources say.
After the ops is over, there must be a operational review of a nitty-gritty kind: AM Singhvi, Cong #Pathankot
- ANI (@ANI_news) January 3, 2016
We all wish our brave jawans the best: Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Congress #Pathankotpic.twitter.com/qE2XvZbEPo
- ANI (@ANI_news) January 3, 2016
'He always wanted to join the Army,' Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard Niranjan Kumar's father tells news agency ANI.
We will not forget the supreme sacrifice of Lt Col. Niranjan and other jawans who lost their lives while fighting terrorists at #Pathankot
- Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) January 3, 2016Immediately on landing in Delhi, PM @narendramodi is chairing a high level meeting with the NSA, Foreign Secretary & other officials.
- PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 3, 2016
Feeling sad but extremely proud of Lt Col Niranjan and other soldiers who laid down their lives at Pathankot
- Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) January 3, 2016Operation now nears completion: AOC Pathankot Air Force Station JS Dhamoon pic.twitter.com/DgPbstdsky
- NDTV (@ndtv) January 3, 2016
Air Marshal Anil Khosla on the Pathankot attacks:
- At night operations slowed down and the area was cordoned off
- In the morning, we realised two more terrorists are there
- The operation is at a mature state but confirmation on the number of casualties only after recovering bodies
Union Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi is addressing the media on the Pathankot terror attack.
Here are the highlights:
Here are the highlights:
- Intelligence, Air Force was alerted after attack on SP
- Due to surveillance and alert they were unable to move to the technical area - their target
- They were contained in a non-operational area and surrounded and combing operations were started
- Six terrorists neutralised at Pathankot air base
- Fresh explosion heard inside Pathankot air base
- Mopping operations to continue till tomorrow
'If not for intelligence reports, Pathankot attack could have been more severe': Home Minister Rajnath Singh
They should increase deployment in this fencing area, for this is the second/third time such incident has happened in Punjab-Dy CM Punjab
- ANI (@ANI_news) January 3, 2016Latest updates on terror attack at Pathankot Air Base https://t.co/ogSDB4RdGopic.twitter.com/5sM9vZ5Vel
- NDTV (@ndtv) January 3, 2016Deeply saddened about the loss of Lt Colonel #NiranjanKumar. Sharing the grief of family.
- Oommen Chandy (@Oommen_Chandy) January 3, 2016
Just In
One more terrorist killed inside Pathankot air base. 4 were killed yesterday
One more terrorist killed inside Pathankot air base. 4 were killed yesterday
.@ndtv is not broadcasting any details or live information that could jeopardise the operations at Pathankot.
- NDTV (@ndtv) January 3, 2016
Security tightened, Delhi on high alert after terror attack on Indian Air force base in #Pathankotpic.twitter.com/9EO4T1fC4n
- ANI (@ANI_news) January 3, 2016
Pained to know about the demise of Lt. Col. Niranjan of NSG during mopping out operations at Pathankot. The nation salutes his sacrifice
- Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) January 3, 2016