Mopping operation continues at Pathankot air base

Pathankot (Punjab), Jan 4: Search and combing operation by security forces continued at the Indian Air Force (IAF) base here on Monday morning, over 52 hours after terrorists attacked the frontline air base in Pathankot town of Punjab.

NSG and Army commandos conducted a thorough mopping of the entire area where the terrorists, suspected to be from Pakistan, had been cornered, police said.

Firing could be heard during the night and Monday morning. Officials said this firing could be linked to the mopping operation.

IAF helicopters flew through the night over the air base to assist ground forces in the counter offensive against the terrorists.

Army and para-military forces have surrounded the entire air force base, which is spread in a huge area.

Four terrorists were killed by security forces on Saturday after a 15-hour long gunfight in which the NSG, Indian Army and IAF commandos were involved, assisted by IAF helicopters.

A gunfight between two more terrorists and security forces continued through Sunday.

Seven security personnel, including one official of the National Security Guard, one IAF Garud commando and five Defence Services Corps (DSC) personnel were killed in the counter-offensive against the terrorists.

"Combing operation continued (on Sunday). This operation is at the completion stage. The operation will continue till the whole air base has been cleared of any intruders," Air Commodore J. S. Dhamoon, the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the Pathankot Air Force Station told the media.

Smoke could be seen coming out of the IAF air base in Pathankot, 250 km from Chandigarh, on Sunday evening as the gunfight moved to an end.

IANS