“Modi strongly emphasised the need for Pakistan to take firm and immediate action against the organisations and individuals responsible for and linked to the Pathankot terrorist attack”.
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Indian security forces say they have killed five attackers, the fifth on Monday, and believe one remains on Pathankot air force base’s sprawling premises.
The Polit Bureau further observed there was “sufficient” intelligence about the impending attack and an alert had been sounded, “yet the terrorist group could enter the base premises”.
Manohar Parrikar stopped short of saying the operation had ended, but Indian officials have said repeatedly that only six gunmen were involved.
The South Asian neighbours have fought three wars since gaining independence from Britain in 1947, two over the disputed Kashmir region – which is claimed in its entirety by both.
Defence sources said the firing at the Pathankot Air Force base in Punjab ceased this morning after the attack that began in the wee hours on Saturday. He also said that Sharif is not in a condition to take any action against the culprits, and it also shows that he did not take Pakistan army in his confidence.
In the first known claim of responsibility, the United Jehad Council, an alliance of 13 Kashmir-based rebel groups, claimed that its “highway squad”, which normally attacks military convoys, carried out the attack. With the lives of six terrorists, “Pakistan has managed to finish India’s self-respect”, the editorial said.
The attack followed Modi’s surprise recent visit to Pakistan and came days before top foreign ministry officials were to meet in Islamabad to discuss a range of outstanding issues, including Kashmir. Chief of India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA) Sharad Kumar told the press on Tuesday that the agency would seek help of Islamabad in resolving the Pathankot terror attack case only after establishing the identity of people contacted by the perpetrators (on January 2).
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“They have got initial leads, where they have come from, how they have come”.
