India urges Pakistan to act after air force base attack

Sirmed said most Pakistan-India observers were anticipating such a terror attack, ever since Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi surprised the world by flying into Lahore to meet Sharif on Christmas.

The Prime Minister “strongly emphasized the need for Pakistan to take firm and immediate action against the organizations and individuals responsible for and linked to the Pathankot terrorist attack”, the PMO said in a statement.

“Home Secretary can’t confirm as to how many terrorists are there in the air base”.

“Sharif assured Modi that his government would take prompt and decisive action against the terrorists”, it added.

Lauding the valiant efforts of the security forces for defending the Pathankot air base from the fidayeen, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday said six terrorists have been neutralised so far in the combing operation, which is still on for safety objective.

Singh, who was flanked by Air officer commanding, Air commodore J S Damoon and Brigadier Anupinder Singh, said “the entire operation will continue till all the personnel, assets, structure are physically combed”.

Some analysts have suggested the rare targeting of an Indian military installation outside disputed Kashmir may have been aimed at derailing talks between the nuclear-armed neighbours, who have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947.

The Pathankot IAF facility, located near the border with Pakistan, is the base for MiG-21 fighter planes and MI-25 attack helicopters of the Air Force.

‘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, ‘ ministry spokesman Qazi Khalilullah said in a statement.

According to sources, the decision to go ahead with the talks now hinges on whether the Nawaz Sharif government “cooperates” with the Indian authorities in the aftermath of the attack.

Officials said they had received intelligence about a possible attack and had beefed up security at the airfield and repulsed the attackers before they reached any sensitive areas.

Congress leader Manish Tewari said the real ruler of Pakistan is General Sharif.

In a Twitter post, Delhi’s police commissioner B.S. Bassi advised residents to immediately report suspicious activity, people and objects to authorities.