Fidayeen attack on Pathankot air base foiled, at least 4 terrorists killed

A chopper hovers over the Indian Air Force base that was attacked by militants in Pathankot Punjab on January 2.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday praised the security forces for foiling a major terrorist attack at an Indian Air Force (IAF) base near Pathankot in Punjab.

“As far as Pakistan is concerned, it is our neighbour”.

The air force base is close to the India-Pakistan border, which has resulted in some officials pointing the finger at the Pakistan-based Islamist terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad. Once inside, they opened fire indiscriminately.

The Saturday attack, security official said, resembled another terror attack which was carried out in July a year ago, in which armed men in army fatigues stormed a Dinanagar police station in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district, killing six people.

Sporadic gunfire continued through the day and helicopters flew as Indian troops combed the base in search of surviving gunmen. PTI, citing police, also said at least four gunmen had been killed.

“Modi, at a speech in the southern city of Mysore, said: “I congratulate the nation’s security forces for turning the intentions of our country’s enemies into dust”.

“We have also lost security personnel in the Pathankot attack”. The base is located around 250 km from Chandigarh.

“Indian security forces intercepted the gunmen, and two of the militants died in the ensuing gunfight”.

India regularly accuses Pakistan’s army of providing covering fire for rebels who infiltrate across the border and then mount attacks in the Indian sector of Kashmir.

According to news reports, the gunmen wore army uniform.

But Saturday’s attack was much more audacious in targeting a large military facility from which India’s Russian-made fleet of MiG-21 fighter jets and Mi-35 attack helicopters fly.

Security experts say tight security along the countries’ disputed frontier through Kashmir has pushed the focus of militant activity south towards softer targets in Punjab.

The Himalayan region of Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but is claimed in its entirety by both. The Muslim-majority region remains a bone of contention that India only recently agreed to discuss after months of on-off attempts to relaunch talks.