4 gunmen, 2 troops dead in attack on Indian air base

Indian security forces stand guard near a road barrier outside an Indian air force base in Pathankot, 430 kilometers (267 miles) north of New Delhi, India, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. Pic: AP.

by Asian Correspondent Staff-3rd January 2016

AT least four gunmen and two Indian troops are dead after suspected militants entered an Indian air force base near the border with Pakistan.

Security personnel eventually secured the Pathakot base on Saturday evening after a 14 hour long gun battle.

The attack comes just a week after the first visit by an Indian prime minister to Pakistan in 12 years and is seen as an attempt to undermine peace initiatives between the two nations.

SEE ALSO: India’s prime minister makes surprise stop over in Pakistan

The assault began at 03:30 when a group of gunmen dressed in Indian army uniforms entered the living quarters.

Associated Press:

Air force spokeswoman Rochelle D’Silva says the gunmen entered the living quarters of the Pathankot air force base, about 430 kilometers (267 miles) north of New Delhi, but were not able to penetrate the area with fighter helicopters and other equipment.

Press Trust of India news agency is quoting police as saying that four attackers have been killed following the hours long gun battle and police have started an operation to clear a wider area of other possible intruders.

Gunfire was heard later in the morning and an air force helicopter was seen firing at an area inside the base, but police confirmed the base was secure by the afternoon and troops were continuing to comb the area.

The BBC said it is not clear who the attackers are but suspicion is falling on Kashmiri militant groups in Pakistan.

Pathankot is close to India’s border with Pakistan and lies on the highway that connects Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of India. Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan but claimed by both nations.

“If there is any kind of terror attack on India, we will give it a fitting reply” – Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

Both Pakistan and India condemned the attack.

Jakarta Post:

Modi, at a speech in the southern city of Mysore, said: “I congratulate the nation’s security forces for turning the intentions of our country’s enemies into dust. They didn’t let them succeed. And I salute the martyrdom of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry condemned the attack. “Building on the goodwill created during the recent high level contacts between the two countries, Pakistan remains committed to partner with India as well as other countries in the region to completely eradicate the menace of terrorism afflicting our region,” it said in a statement.

Indian Home Minister Rajnath Singh told reporters that India wants peace with Pakistan, but “if there is any kind of terror attack on India, we will give it a fitting reply.”

Associated Press