Pak-based Jehad Council claims responsibility for Pathankot attack

Pakistan-based United Jehad Council, an umbrella organisation of about a dozen terror outfits, on Monday claimed responsibility for the deadly attack on the airbase at Pathankot.

"The attack on the Pathankot Airbase was carried out by the National Highway Sqaud," Syed Sadaqat Hussain, presenting himself as UJC spokesman, claimed in an email statement to a local news agency.

He, however, did not give the number of terrorists involved in the attack.

UJC comprises mostly the terror outfits active in Jammu and Kashmir.

Experts in Delhi expressed doubt over the authenticity of the claim as the Pathankot attack is widely believed to be the handiwork of Pakistan-backed Jaish-e-Mohammad terror outfit which is not part of UJC.

The claim is being seen as a diversionary tactic.