Sanjeev Pargal
PATHANKOT, Jan 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held high level review of security situation on the country’s borders with top brass of Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), National Security Guards (NSG) and Border Security Force (BSF) besides National Security Advisor as he visited Pathankot airbase, which was attacked by six terrorists in the wee hours of January 2.
Modi also flew over the International Border (IB) in Pathankot and surrounding sector for aerial review of the situation during which he was reported to have directed the security agencies for maintenance of strict surveillance and guard against any infiltration. He stressed that country’s borders should be protected very well.
During his visit to airbase, Modi was briefed in detail by top brass of security agencies on the attack and bravery shown by security personnel in thwarting it in the minimum possible time. He also met families of martyrs inside the airbase and lauded the courage shown by seven security personnel, who laid down their lives while fighting and eliminating the terrorists. He assured full support from the Central Government to the families of martyrs.
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval accompanied the Prime Minister from New Delhi while Chief of Army Staff Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, IAF chief Air Marshal Arup Raha, NSG chief RC Tayal and BSF Director General DK Pathak were present at the airbase to brief the Prime Minister. Local commanders of Pathankot airbase, who had handled the attack and foiled the militant plot, also briefed Modi.
In a series of tweets after conclusion of his visit, Modi expressed satisfaction with decision making and its execution during the audacious attack by six terrorists.
“Noted with satisfaction the decision making and its execution, the considerations that went into our tactical response,” he tweeted.
He lauded bravery and determination of the men and women on the ground, who fought the militants, and described them as “our pride”.
“Also noted coordination among various field units. Lauded bravery and determination of our men and women on the ground. They are our pride,” the Prime Minister said.
He tweeted that he was briefed in great detail on how the security forces neutralized such a serious terrorist attack. He said he had detailed briefing from senior leadership of Army, Air Force, NSG and BSF during his visit to Pathankot airbase.
Modi spent about 90 minutes at the air base during which he was briefed about the attack and security measures put in place at the facility in its wake.
Air Force chief Air Marshal Arup Raha and National Security Guard officials briefed the Prime Minister about the attack and the counteroffensive launched against the perpetrators with the help of maps, aerial pictures and operational photographs, official sources said.
Modi also went around the scene of the terror attack and was taken around the Military Engineering Service Yard where the terrorists were first engaged by the security forces and the two-storey billet for airmen’s accommodation where the last two terrorists were killed after the structure was blown up by the security forces, before undertaking an aerial survey of the forward positions along the Indo-Pakistan border.
The base was kept out of bounds for the media.
An official press release said in Delhi that National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Army chief Dalbir Singh and chiefs of NSG and BSF were present during the visit.
Officials of the NIA, which has taken over the probe into the attack, also briefed the Prime Minister on the progress of the investigation.
The Prime Minister had over half an hour long aerial survey along the International Border with Pakistan around Pathankot sector. He was given detailed briefing by DG BSF DK Pathak on topography of the International Border with Pakistan in Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
It was widely being believed that all six militants had infiltrated into the Indian territory from the International Border in Bamiyal village falling along river Beas in Pathankot sector, a route earlier also used for infiltration by the militants during attack on Dinanagar police station in Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
The BSF has already submitted a detailed report to the Union Home Ministry on the infiltration.
Security forces had yesterday declared the sprawling Air Force station fully sanitized after a massive combing operation spanning over three days.
“The combing operation at the Air Force station is over,” a senior IAF official said, adding the entire area has been sanitized.
Six terrorists, believed to owe allegiance to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed were gunned down by the security forces after a four-day gun battle.
The operation to ensure that no terrorist was hiding was carried out jointly by Army, NSG and IAF’s Garud commandos.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had also visited the base on January 5 and admitted to “some gaps” that made the attack possible.
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had called up Modi and promised action against the perpetrators of the brazen attack. India has said it has handed over specific and actionable information regarding Pathankot attack to Pakistan.
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