Aftermath of Pathankot Attack

Aftermath of  Pathankot Attack

Pathankot/New Delhi : Indian  Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar on Tuesday, 05 January 2015, Four days after suspected Pakistani terrorists raided the Indian Air Force basee  in Pathakot admitted  "security lapses" that led to the terror attack that left seven security personnel and all six terrorists dead.

Meanwhile Pakistani Prime Minister Navaz Shariff today called his Indian Counterpart Narendra Modi and assured prompt and decisive action against the terrorists linked to the attack.

Manohar Parrikar said the battle against the terrorists who sneaked into the Airforce base before dawn on Saturday, 2nd January 2016 effectively ended after around 36 hours (at 7.30 p.m. on Sunday, 3^rd January 2016) and that combing operations going on since then were "for safety purposes". Combing Operations are likely to be completed by Wednesday.

"It started at 3.30 a.m, Saturday  when (IAF) Garud force engaged the terrorists... At 7.30 p.m. (on Sunday), they (terrorists) were finished. So it is about 36 hours," Parrikar said when asked how effective the counter offensive of the security forces was.

Parrikar 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 Indian Air Force complex.

Some gaps led to security lapses, the minister said. He did not elaborate. "What is worrying is how they (terrorists) entered the base."

Meanwhile Pakistan Prime Minister Navaz Shariff on Tuesday promised his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi that Islamabad will take "prompt and decisive action" against the terrorists linked to the attack.

Sharif, who telephoned Modi from Sri Lanka, gave the assurance after New Delhi provided "specific and actionable information" to Islamabad regarding the terrorists. Modi underlined the need for Pakistan to take "firm and immediate action" against organisations and individuals responsible for the audacious attack.

The Sharif-Modi conversation followed the killing of all six terrorists in Pathankot, which is home to one of the biggest IAF bases.