Indian troops search air force base after weekend battles

Suspected militants infiltrated an Indian air force base near the border with Pakistan and fought security forces for hours, leaving at least four gunmen and two Indian troops dead in what is being seen as a possible attempt to undo recent progress in relations between the two rival countries.

A final decision on the talks, scheduled for January 15, is expected to be taken after security forces have completed their operation at the Pathankot Air Base, near the Pakistan border, the source said, requesting anonymity.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) team also reached the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot today to begin its investigation of the three cases lodged in connection with the ongoing terror attack.

Indian security forces were still trying to clear militants holed up in a building that served as living quarters for air force personnel, army Brig Anupinder Bevli told the briefing.

Defense officials have said authorities had been alerted about a potential attack in the area on Friday, and that aerial surveillance at the base spotted the gunmen as they entered the compound, leading to criticism of the handling of the situation.

Ties seemed to take a turn for the better after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif, late last month.

The thinking in the government seems to be that India needed to put forth concrete evidence of Pakistan’s complicity in the Pathankot attack or the charges would be brushed aside by Islamabad.

Kirby said the United States is encouraged by the government of Pakistan condemning this attack, and the statement that they’ve made about not discriminating among groups.

The spokesman added that by hurling allegations at Pakistan, India could neither sabotage the struggle of Kashmiri people in the past nor can it do so now.

The terrorists failed to destroy IAF assets due to timely action by security forces, Home Secretary Rajiv Mehrishi said in New Delhi on Sunday.

“The possibility of more terrorists being present can not be denied, the combing will continue”, an official told reporters.

Earlier on Saturday morning, at least 6,7 terrorists on Saturday morning have launched a terror attack on the Indian Air Force base in PathanKot.

Meanwhile, India put to rest the seven security personnel who were killed in the operation.

The second group, suspected to be of two militants, entered the base before the first group and was in hiding.

National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s China visit was put off in wake of the attack on the Pathankot air base.

Criticising Pakistan for condemning the Pathankot attack, the editorial said Islamabad is “faking by doing so”.