Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif Tuesday to take “firm and immediate action” against those behind an attack on an Indian Air Force base that left seven soldiers dead.
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An alliance of of more than a dozen militant groups called the United Jihad Council, based in Pakistani Kashmir, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Talking to Modi, Sharif expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in Pathankot terror attack, and assured him that Pakistan would investigate in detail on the leads and information provided by the government of India. The warning came after the gunmen kidnapped an off-duty policeman near the base two days before the attack began, apparently to steal his vehicle.
The news came shortly before Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar announced at a press conference that six militants who attacked the airbase have been confirmed killed.
The search operations at Pathankot air force base will continue until all areas have been completely secured, Maj.
Parrikar also told the media after visiting the base that combing operations were still going on but “this is only for safety purposes” and that no more terrorists were believed hidden in the huge complex. “But every inch of the air base has to be secured before we call off the operation”, said the official in New Delhi, who requested anonymity.
Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack and told Modi that Pakistan will stand by India in fighting terror. Officials, however, have refused to say how many security personnel were involved in the engagement.
Five of the gunmen were killed and Indian officials said an unidentified body found at the base was suspected to be of a sixth militant. In an effort to break the deadlock, Modi met Sharif in the Pakistani city of Lahore last month and agreed to accelerate peace talks, starting with a meeting between foreign secretaries this month.
“He said the United States has for a long time talked about the continued safe haven issues there in between Afghanistan and Pakistan and certainly between India and Pakistan”.
On the other hand, Pakistan said that they are working on the leads that have been provided by India on the terrorist attack. “Specific and actionable information in this regard has been provided to Pakistan”, the statement read.
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While praising Indian security forces for eliminating the attackers, Parrikar also alluded to “some gaps” in security that allowed the attackers to reach the base in the northwestern state of Punjab.
