Pathankot Air base attack: Two terrorists killed gunfight on

Pathankot (Punjab), Jan 2: At least two terrorists were killed early on Saturday following an attack on the Indian Air Force (IAF) Station in Pathankot district.

The gunfire started at around 3.30 a.m, police have cordoned off the area and army was called. Number of terrorists was reported to be around four to six, who were in Army fatigues.

“Based on developments of yesterday (Friday) Army sounded alert accordingly and had placed two-Army Columns and an Special Force team in the Pathankot base prior to the attack,” an army spokesperson in New Delhi said.

“NSG team has also teamed up with them to foil the terrorist plans; local Brigade Commander of Army is coordinating the operations; in addition UAVs of Army and IAF have also been put into action to get inputs,” the spokesperson added.

The technical area where MiG-29 fighter aircraft and helicopters are kept was safe.

Security forces were already on high alert in the past 24 hours after an incident in a nearby area where a senior police officer was abducted in his car late Thursday but released later.

Two IAF helicopters could be seen assisting security forces in combing operations.

The Pathankot-Jammu highway was put on high alert by security forces. The entire area near the IAF station was sealed.

“High alert has been sounded in Kathua district and entry into the state from neighbouring Punjab at Lakhanpur is being monitored and checked”, said a senior police officer in winter capital Jammu.

Defence sources said army has been moved out on the highway to ensure no militant was able to sneak into Jammu and Kahsmir.

Security forces were put on high alert in Pathankot in Punjab’s frontier district Gurdaspur on Friday after a senior police officer said he and his associates were seized by five armed men in army fatigues.  (IANS)