AMN /
Operation to flush out terrorist from inside the Pathankot Air Base seemed to be over as no firing was heared after 6.00 p.m. The official sources said 5 terrorists have been killed while 3 security personnel attained martyrdom during combing operation which started at 3.30 in the wee hours when terrorists were spotted inside the airbase.
However, neutralization of fifth(5th) terrorist has also been reported.
Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in a series of tweet that all the five terrorists involved in attacking the Air Force base were killed in operation. He said, the nation is proud of its brave security forces who have always rose to the occasion and he salutes Indian forces on successful operation.
Mr Singh conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the families of martyred security personnel and said the Nation can never forget their sacrifice. Meanwhile, the President, Mr. Pranab Mukherjee has strongly condemned the Pathankot terror attack.
In a message, he has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the grieving families of brave soldiers who lost their lives in the attack. He has also complemented jawans for their valour and courage while fighting terrorists.
The plan of the terrorists to destroy valuable assets of the Air Force has been foiled.
Defence resources said the Pathankot Indian Air Force facility, which is about 20 kilometres from the India-Pakistan border, is the base of MiG-21 fighter planes and Mi-25 attack helicopters of the air force.
Authorities said helicopters and other equipment at the base are safe as the terrorists were contained in a non-operational area of the air force base.
Sounds of gunfire on Saturday woke up the residents of the area near the Pathankot Air base when it was attacked by terrorists.
The loud noise of helicopters deployed by the Air Force as part of intensive search operations kept residents alert in the area. Forces were already alert following the news of kidnapping of a senior police officer of Gurdasour the previous day.
It is noteworthy that an official of Indian Air force was also arrested from Bathinda under charges of spying for ISI of Pakistan four days back. Pathankot is located at the tri-junction of Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh and bordering with Pakistan. It is on a highway that connects Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country.