Combing operations to 'sanitise' Pathankot air base still on

Combing operations were underway on Wednesday to sanitise the Pathankot air base that was under siege for four days after terrorists struck the forward installation, even as the focus shifted to the probe in the terror strike with the National Investigation Agency chief arriving for an on-the-spot assessment.

Security officials said on Wednesday that the combing operations may continue for a day or two at the forward base where seven security personnel and six terrorists were killed.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had said on Tuesday that there 'is no suspected terrorist inside right now. (Still) I will not give a negative report till the combing operations are over. The combing operations may be over by tomorrow'.

He had said that the combing operation was for the safety purpose as there are live, unexploded bombs besides rest of the ammunition.

"Probably, they have brought high quality explosives," he had said.

He had stated that the terrorists were carrying AK47s, modified under grenade barrel launcher, pistols, Swiss and commando knives, 40-50 kg of bullets besides 3-4 dozens of magazine and mortars.

With the focus shifting on investigation, anti-terror probe agency NIA’s chief Sharad Kumar arrived in Pathankot for an on-the-spot assessment.

Kumar had said on Tuesday that solving the conspiracy behind the attack was a ‘very big challenge’ but recalled how the agency had in the past established the identity of culprits in many blind cases.

"A lot of investigation needs to be done. Therefore, I am not fixing any deadline to the case but we will try to complete the probe soon," Kumar had said.

Asked about the nationality of the terrorists involved in the Pathankot attack, Kumar had said there was ‘little doubt’ that the accused were from Pakistan and added ‘whatever evidence that is available in front of us till now is based on intercepted telephone calls between the terrorists and their handlers and family members across the border’.

He, had however, refrained from naming the terror group responsible for the attack, saying, “Let us work first. We will be able to establish everything once we have some evidence to support our claims. The case has to be proved before the court of law and therefore I will refrain from making statements on speculation.”

The terrorists were believed to owe allegiance to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammed.

Image: Security forces personnel inside the Pathankot air base after the end of the military operation against terrorists. Photograph: PTI photo