Pathankot: Suspected Pakistani terrorists on Saturday attacked an Air Force Base here in Punjab, triggering an encounter in which four attackers and two IAF personnel were killed and 6 security men were injured
At least four to five militants, believed to be from the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group, in army uniform launched the attack in the wee hours with an aim of destroying the air base, a top security official said
A group of militants attacked Air Force base at 3:30 AM this morning, a Defence spokesman said
The attack was launched soon after a combing operation was carried out by the army on Friday in the area between Air base?installation and Chakki river,?police said
The attackers were met with strong resistance from the security personnel who were already alert to the possibility of an attack, top sources said in Delhi, adding that the terrorists therefore could not enter the air base and managed to reach only to the langer area on the outside
SSP R K Bakshi said that four suspected militants were killed in the battle
Two jawans were also martyred and six sustained injuries
Security establishment was already on alert and anticipating an attack after an SP of Punjab police was abducted by a group of armed men in army uniform on Thursday night. The attackers thrashed the officer before dumping him from vehicle
After the incident, the combing operation was launched in the border areas of Pathankot and Gurdaspur district
The attackers are confined to non-operational area, police said
Helicopters, NSG commandos and SWAT teams have been engaged to kill the militants, police said
The encounter started at 3.30 am, police said
The strike is believed to be launched by Jaish-e-Mohammad, officials said, adding that the target was to destroy military installations. .
PTI
