Pathankot attack: Sharif calls up Modi, assures prompt, decisive action

The attack began before dawn Saturday and dragged on as government troops struggled to contain the heavily armed attackers in the sprawling compound.

But analyst Khadim Hussain said the attack on the air base along with a Taliban surge in Afghanistan indicated that elements of the Pakistani military were not on board with the negotiations. As per the officials, at least 7 security personnel including Lieutenant Col were also killed while another 20 were injured.

Maj-Gen Dushyant Singh, from India’s elite National Security Guard, said it would take a “long time” to declare the base completely secure, because of its size and geography.

It remains unclear exactly how the attackers infiltrated the fortified base, which has a 24-km (15-mile) perimeter surrounded by a 3-metre (10-foot) wall topped with concertina wire. There was no gunfire as troops searched the air base on the fourth day of the siege looking for a possible sixth gunman involved in the attack.

Parrikar said the militants’ weapons included AK-47 assault rifles with makeshift rocket launchers attached, mortar rounds that could be fired from the launchers, pistols, and 50-60 kilograms of ammunition.

Surjewala and Shinde also wondered why the Modi Government has not lodged a formal protest till date with Pakistan Government, summoned their High Commissioner and taken a decision to place the matter before worldwide fora, so as to “expose and isolate Pakistan” as a state that is “abetting and permitting its soil to be used for anti-India terror activities”.

The council is based in Pakistan’s portion of Kashmir, the Himalayan region divided between the countries but claimed in its entirety by both. He did not give details in the interview with a television news channel TimesNow on Tuesday.

The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday said the ball is now in Pakistan’s court and India is waiting for Nawaz Sharif government to deliver on its promise of prompt and decisive action against the perpetrators of the Pathankot terror attack.

The Pakistani official said Pakistan could temporarily arrest Jaish-e-Mohammad’s leader Masood Azhar to appease India, but only if the leads checked out.

Taking to the media here, MEA official spokesperson Vikas Swarup said the government’s policy towards Pakistan is clear and consistent.

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.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training insurgents in its portion of Kashmir.

Sullivan reported from New Delhi.