Parrikar meets kin of soldiers killed in Pathankot attack

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday visited the family of two of the seven soldiers who were killed in the Pakistani terrorist attack at the air base in Pathankot as he announced that they would be entitled to all benefits available to "battle casualty".

Parrikar met the families of Fateh Singh and Kulwant Singh of the Defence Security Corps, based in Gurdaspur.

Earlier in the day, Parrikar announced that all the seven security personnel killed during the attack will be treated as martyrs that will entitle them to all benefits available to "battle casualty" like in war-like situation.

Defence sources said that this means that the kin of the personnel will get the maximum benefits which will include enhanced ex-gratia, pension, tax benefits, central grant among others.

Seven security personnel -- five of DSC, an NSG commando and one of Garud -- were killed in the attack on IAF base in Pathankot while six terrorists were eliminated in a four-day long operation. Combing operations are still on and may continue for a day or two.