Seven security personnel have so far sacrificed their lives in skirmishes with an unknown number of terrorists.
On 2 January 2016, a group of heavily armed terrorists attacked Pathankot Air Force Station, part of the Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force. Two terrorists and three security forces personnel were killed in the initial battle.The gun battle and the subsequent combing operation lasted about 17 hours on 2 January. The terrorists, who were wearing Indian Army fatigues, were suspected to belong to Jaish-e-Mohammed, an Islamist terrorist group.
A further three soldiers who were admitted to hospital with injuries died, raising the death toll to six.On 3 January, fresh gunshots were heard and another security officer was killed by an IED explosion. The operation continued on 4 January and a fifth terrorist was confirmed to be killed. United Jihad Council claimed responsibility for the attack on 4 January.
The hijacking of a car of a superintendent of the Punjab Police the previous day was reportedly linked to the attack. Terrorists hijacked his car for transportation, However they did not know that it is a police car since the police lights were off. Media reports suggested that the attack was a clear attempt to derail a fragile peace process meant to stabilize the deteriorated relations between India and Pakistan
Here are the top 10 developments PathanKot
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi received a phone call from his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif, assuring him of his support in the investigation to uncover how the lethal assault was conceived and executed.
- According to a statement issued by the government, PM Modi called for “firm and immediate action against those responsible for the air base attack”, based on specific and actionable information provided to Pakistan.
- Seven military personnel were martyred and another 20 injured at the sprawling compound which is located just 25 km from the Pakistan border. Six terrorists have been killed.
- The attack came about a week after a surprise visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif last month. India has indicated that it may delay talks in Islamabad between the foreign secretaries of the two countries that were to be held on January 15.
- The head of the National Investigation Agency, Sharad Kumar, told reporters in New Delhi that the attackers came from Pakistan but did not elaborate.
- The base at Pathankot has Indian Air Force MiG-21 fighter jets and attack helicopters. “I do see gaps, but security was not compromised…it will be clear after the investigation” said Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar about allegations of a series of security lapses. He toured the base today.
- Among the major lapses was the delay alert sounded after a police officer’s car was hijacked by the terrorists wearing army uniforms on the night of December 31. His complaint was treated as a case of armed robbery for hours. That, interrogators say, may have allowed the terrorists a large window of time to breach the base in two groups.
- Phone calls made by the terrorists to their handlers were intercepted on Friday. The attack began on Saturday at dawn. Investigators are also suggesting a lack of inter-agency cooperation may have hobbled the security response.
- It remains unclear exactly how the terrorists infiltrated the fortified base, which is nearly 2,000 acres large, and is surrounded by a 10-metre wall topped with barbed wire.
- Investigators believe the attack was carried out by the Pakistan-based terror group Jaish-e-Mohammed, founded by Masood Azhar after he was released by India in 1999 in exchange for passengers on IC-814, the Indian Airlines plane that was hijacked.
1) Jan 1 [~ 9:00 PM] Suspected JeM terrorists got into Innova taxi at a village near Khatana T-point on Jammu-Pathankot Highway. After a 1.5 km the driver crashed into a rock and the terrorists believed to have killed the driver and took the car to the T-point.
2) After the terrorists have reportedly reached Khatana T-point in the damaged car, they intercepted a police vehicle carrying SP Salwinder Singh. Taking control of the car, the terrorists held SP Salwinder, his friend Verma and Verma’s cook hostage.
3) The terrorists rode past police checkpoints reportedly taking advantage of the SUV’s blue beacon and reached Akalgarh village, 500 metres away from the Pathankot Air Force base.
4) Jan 2 [ ~ 12:00 to 2:00 AM]: The terrorists tied the SP and Verma’s cook, and took Verma along with them to the airbase. Learning that Salwinder Singh was a senior police officer, they were instructed by their handlers to head back to hold SP hostage again. By that time, the SP and the cook managed to escape and the terrorists decided to get rid of Verma. The terrorists also reportedly made some calls using Verma’s phone.
5) Jan 2 [~ 3:00 AM] The terrorists then stormed into the base through a entry point that adjoins the village. That area of the housing for personnel, administrative offices, an officers’ mess and the DSC Mess. Five DSC men were shot at by the terrorists.
6) One terrorist was reportedly shot dead as he was clambering over a 10-ft wall topped by concertina wire. After the shooting spree at DSC Mess, the terrorists split into two groups. One group hid in a building next to a furniture yard, while the other hid in sarkanda, a patch of tall grass, an official said.
7) Jan 2 [~ 9:00 AM]: NSG personnel arrive at the base. Four terrorists reportedly killed in the operation. Nearly 80% of the Air Force base sanitised.
8) Jan 2 [~ 10:00 AM]: Gunshots heard from within the airbase again. Sound of three grenade blasts heard too. NIA reaches Pathankot airbase. Aerial firing by IAF choppers at the site.
9) Jan 2 [~ 5:00 PM]: The likely plan of the terrorists to destroy valuable assets of the Air Force has been foiled. Currently the operation is going on: IAF. Fifth terrorist was reportedly neutralized as combing operations continue.
10) Jan 3 [~ 9:00 PM]: Search operations resume at Pathankot air base after Saturday’s terror attack. While there were reports of firing being heard inside the base, they were attributed to combing operations. Helicopters were also seen flying over the base, to assist ground staff.
11) Jan 3 [~ 12:30 PM]: Lt Col Niranjan of the NSG has lost his life during a combing operation at the Pathankot Air Base. Meanwhile, fresh firing has been reported from inside the Air Force Base, in what could be an indication that the operation is currently on.
12) Jan 3 [~ 1:00 PM]: At least two terrorists are still inside the Air Force Base, Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, DIG/Border range told CNN-IBN adding that it was still unclear how many terrorists are still inside.
13) Jan 3 [~ 2:00 PM]: In what could spell more trouble for the defence forces engaged in eliminating the terrorists at the Pathankot Air Base, Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh, DIG Border Range Punjab Police has now said that there could be more terrorists holed up inside.
14) Jan 3 [~ 4:00 PM]: Building inside air base facing Akalgarh village destroyed by security forces. One terrorist was believed hiding there. Total Indian forces injured in the operation till now: IAF personnel: 6 dead, 8 injured and NSG: Lt Col Niranjan dead, 12 injured.
15) Jan 3 [~ 5:00 PM]: Second line of defence to be setup. SWAT and BSF troops to be deployed for completely securing the airbase: Punjab Dy CM Sukhbir Badal. Operation underway.
