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.
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
Final farewell to Pathankot martyr Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan Kumar
Unidentified body found at Pathankot air base, say sources.
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. 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.
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.
All 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
NSG 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
Children pay tribute to NSG Lt Col Niranjan at Bengaluru's BEL Ground
What 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
Mortal remains of NSG Lt Col Niranjan brought to his Bengaluru residence.
With nightfall, guns fall silent at PathankotAfter 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.
'He always wanted to join the Army,' Lieutenant Colonel of the National Security Guard Niranjan Kumar's father tells news agency ANI.
Intermittent firing still on at Pathankot Air Base
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:- 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
Just In
One more terrorist killed inside Pathankot air base. 4 were killed yesterday
Security outside Indian Air Force Base
Reports of fresh firing at the air force base in Pathankot
A National Security Guard Lieutenant Colonel Niranjan E Kumar injured in yesterday's attack dies of injuries. Number of deaths rises to 7
3 soldiers injured in Pathankot terror attack die in hospital, number of deaths rises to 6
Fresh explosion
Most likely explosives left behind by terrorist are being neutralized and defused as combing operation continues
National Investigation Agency to take over investigation of Pathankot attack
24-hours AfterThe Operation Continues: Four terrorists have been killed, however, the operation to sanitise the air base continues. As per the reports three security personnel have died, but the number of deaths could go higher, sources told NDTV.
Rajnath Singh withdraws tweet on terrorists killedUncertainty prevailed on Saturday night on the number of terrorists killed in the attack on the Pathankot air base, with Home Minister Rajnath Singh withdrawing a tweet putting the number at five.
Read here.
Proud of our jawans, says PM Modi
Combing operations are on and amid fear of booby traps, the bodies are likely to be recovered by the morning, reports NDTV's Vishnu Som.
Two more terrorists have been likely killed in the security operation after the Pathankot terror attack. Their bodies are yet to be found, sources have told NDTV.
Terrorists plan foiled, says Air Force
Due to effective preparation and coordinated efforts by all security agencies terrorists were detected by aerial surveillance, Indian Air Force said in a statement.
Intelligence inputs had been available of a likely attempt by terrorists to infiltrate into the military installation in Pathankot area, the statement said.
The likely plan of the terrorists to destroy valuable assets of the Air Force has been foiled. Currently the operation is going on, it added.
Dastardly terrorist attack at Pathankot deserves condemnation in harshest terms. Peace loving India can never be cowed down by such acts, tweets Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
High level meeting between Army Chief, IAF Chief,Navy Chief, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Defence Minster Manohar Parrikar begins at South Block.
From NIA team at the spot
Entire air base has now been sanitised but no trace of the 5 th terrorist
Attack helicopters doing reconnaissance sorties over the airforce station
Security stepped up in other Airforce bases in Jammu, Awantipur Srinagar and Udhampur
The army has expanded the search area in Pathankot under the assumption that the surviving terrorists had escaped, sources said.
Pakistan Foreign Ministry Issues Statement
Pakistan condemns terrorist incident in Pathankot in which many precious lives have been lost
Pakistan remains committed to partner with India and other countries in the region to eradicate menace of terror