Pathankot terror attack: As it happened

Commonwealth gold medalist Fateh Singh dies while fighting terrorists in Pathankot.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar salutes brave martyrs of Pathankot terror attack.

Congratulations to our jawans & security forces on successful completion of the Pathankot operation and a salute to our brave martyrs.

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) January 2, 2016

Nation is proud of our brave soldiers. pic.twitter.com/FSDhLDhUaN

— BJP (@BJP4India) January 2, 2016

Security forces should remain vigilant against any threat to the peace and security of our nation #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) January 2, 2016

Compliments to our jawans for their valour and courage while fighting terrorists #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) January 2, 2016

Heartfelt condolences to the grieving families of our brave soldiers who lost their lives in the attack #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) January 2, 2016

Strongly condemn the terrorist attack on Air Force Base in Pathankot in Punjab #PresidentMukherjee

— President of India (@RashtrapatiBhvn) January 2, 2016

President Pranab Mukherjee condemns Pathankot terror attack. 

Credible advance intelligence with ruthless response to the attackers: can only minimise attacks never eliminate.. https://t.co/O31Fg8zmsR

— Kiran Bedi (@thekiranbedi) January 2, 2016

It is timely & prompt action by all agencies. Likely plan of terrorists was to destroy valuable assets of IAF has been foiled: Defence Minister.

"Pathankot operation is almost over. Search operation is going on in 14-km area of air base," says Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.

Strongly condemned the pre dawn terrorist attack at Pathankot Air Force base in Punjab. Had declared high alert in Haryana today.

— Manohar Lal Khattar (@mlkhattar) January 2, 2016

Army vehicles coming out of Indian Air Force base in #Pathankot (visuals deferred by unspecified time). pic.twitter.com/ppucRB3vUc

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 2, 2016

Enemies of humanity who can't see India progress, such elements attacked in Pathankot but our security forces did not let them succeed: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 2, 2016

PM Narendra Modi condemns terror attack in Pathankot, says evil designs of India's enemies will never succeed.

The nation is proud of its brave security forces who have always rose to the occasion. I salute our forces on successful operation in P'kot

— Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) January 2, 2016

I congratulate our armed forces on successfully neutralising all the five terrorists, tweets Home Minister Rajnath Singh.

I congratulate our armed forces and other security forces on successfully neutralising all the five terrorists in 'Pathankot Operation'.

— Rajnath Singh (@BJPRajnathSingh) January 2, 2016

A major operation to secure Pathankot Air force base attacked by suspected Islamist militants has been ended.

The Congress and PDP condemn the terrorist attack on the Indian Air Force base at Pathankot in Punjab, say it was an attempt to derail bilateral talks with Pakistan.

The likely plan of the terrorists to destroy valuable assets of the Air Force has been foiled. Currently the operation is going on: IAF

According to news agency ANI, the Indian Air Force officials further says that Intelligence inputs were available of a likely attempt by terrorists to infiltrate into the military installation in Pathankot area.

Due to effective preparation and coordinated efforts by all security agencies terrorists were detected by aerial surveillance platforms, says IAF.

"Al-Rehman Trust operated in Pakistan by Jaish chief commander Azhar Masood's brother Abdul Rauf Masood Azghar," the ABP news quoted Intelligence reports as saying.

According to ABP news, the masterminds of the Pathankot terror attack has been identified as - Qasim Jaan, Maulana Ashfaq, Abdul Gafoor associated with Al Rehman Trust in Pakistan.

According to reports, media to be briefed on meeting between Defence Minister & the three service chiefs shortly.

High level meeting between the three Service Chiefs, NSA Doval and Defence Minster Manohar Parrikar ends, as per ANI.

Also Read: #Pathankot: "Nawaz Sharif surprises Modi in return of his surprise visit"

Terror attack on Air Force base in Pathankot is highly condemnable. Kudos to brave soldiers for dispelling the attack & salute to martyrs.

— Arun Jaitley (@arunjaitley) January 2, 2016

Talks with Pakistan will take place with terror as the key issue, says Union Minister Prakash Javadekar, hours after some unidentified terrorists attacked the Indian Air Force base near Punjab's Pathankot town.

Also Read: Terror to be key issue in talks with Pakistan: Javadekar

Dastardly terrorist attack at Pathankot deserves condemnation in harshest terms. Peace loving India can never be cowed down by such acts.

— ShivrajSingh Chouhan (@ChouhanShivraj) January 2, 2016

The intelligence agencies have intercepted four calls made by terrorists. According to reports, one of the terrorists called up his mother in Pakistan. During the conversation, the mother told her son to take his meal before dying in the attack.

Also Read: Son, eat before you die: Pakistani mother told Pathankot terrorist

A high-level meeting is underway at the Defence Ministry to review situation in Patahankot. IAF chief Arup Raha, Navy Chief Robin Dhowan and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar are in the meeting at the South Block.

Also Read: Pathankot attack: Defence minister meets NSA, service chiefs

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal will visit Pathankot at 4 pm today.

In Jammu, Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office, Jitendra Singh, said that Indian security forces are well-prepared to deal with all situations. The minister, however, refused to elaborate further in this regard, saying that security-related issues cannot be discussed in the public domain.

In the wake of the Pathankot terror attack, Union Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma today carried out surprise visits at a number of tourist spots in the national capital to check security arrangements.

Strongly condemn the Pathankot terror attack. My thoughts and prayers with the affected soldiers and their families

— Nitish Kumar (@NitishKumar) January 2, 2016

Pakistan condemns terrorist incident in Pathankot in which many precious lives have been lost: Pakistan Foreign Ministry

Also Read: Pakistan condemns Pathankot terror attack; offers condolences to bereaved families

Loud explosion heard from inside IAF base at Pathankot.

Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu ensures that an elaborate plan is being prepared to ensure fool proof security to the railway track in Jammu and Kashmir in the backdrop of Pathankot terror attack.

On #PathankotAttack : Operations continuing, immediate focus on resolving situation - premature to say anything more at this point

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) January 2, 2016

Also Read: Chronology of terror attacks in Punjab from 2001-2016

Strongly condemn terrorist attack on Pathankot AirForce Base.My deepest condolences to families of the brave soldiers martyred in the attack

— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) January 2, 2016

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi condemns Pathankot air base attack

Punjab Police and its elite SWAT commando units are providing the outer cordon to the counter operations to ensure that no terrorist is able to escape.
 

In the wake of a terrorist attack in Punjab, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala questioned: "Why has Punjab suddenly become the hotbed of terror activities in the last few months? The state has been calm for last 20 years."

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal says: "Damage could have been bigger but just because of timely alert, we were able to contain the attack."

Reports say that the fifth terrorist hiding in the area could be a suicide bomber.

Vigil has also been stepped up at Chandimandir and at Ambala Cantt.

Terrorists can't tolerate India-Pakistan dialogue. Attack in Pathankot is in reaction to that: Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh

High alert sounded in Himachal Pradesh after attack​ in Pathankot. 

Pakistan's ISI paid money to terrorist groups - LeT, JeM, Hizbul Mujahideen, Babbar Khalsa - to launch terror attacks in India, sources tell Zee Media.

Also Read: Pathankot terror attack carried out at behest of ISI?

My salute to the Garud commando & the 2 Defense Security Corps jawans, martyred in the #Pathankot terror strike defending the air base

— Capt.Amarinder Singh (@capt_amarinder) January 2, 2016

According to The Times of India, three more terrorists are suspected to be inside compound of airbase. Grenades hurled at neighbourhood gurdwara, adds the report.

NSA Ajit Doval is set to brief PM Narendra Modi on the attack.

The Pathankot air base houses dozens of fighter jets and is important for its strategic location about 50 kilometres (30 miles) from the Pakistan border. A top security official, on the condition of anonymity, says security forces had so far prevented the attackers from inflicting major damage at the base.

Locals in Pathankot protest against the terror attack at air base.

Also Read: Locals protest in Pathankot following terror attack

Death toll rises to three after another Defense Service Corps jawan succumbs to his injuries, reports ANI.

Also Read: Pathankot attack: Fresh firing reported during combing operation, IAF using attack choppers to target militants

Two loud explosions were heard from inside IAF base where search for fifth terrorist is underway.

The way Pakistani terrorists targeted Punjab after Kashmir, this is the biggest threat to the nation: Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut

Search for the fifth terrorist is still on; encounter is not over yet

A sheet of paper with Jaish-e-Mohammed written on it was recovered from the car whose driver was killed.

NIA team reaches Pathankot.

Firing heard from inside Pathankot Air Force base, reports ANI.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh says NSG, Army and Punjab Police gave befitting reply to the attack. “Pakistan is our neighbor and we want peace, but any terrorist attack on India will get a befitting response,” said Singh.

Also Read: Will give fitting response to any terror attack: Rajnath Singh

Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh says that it is sad that this happened after some efforts were made to restore peace with Pakistan.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, who is in Goa, was monitoring the situation and was in touch with Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and other officers. Parrikar will reach New Delhi soon.

Also Read: For 24 hours, security agencies failed to trace terrorists in Punjab

Pathankot attack update: 1 Garud commando and 1 Defense Security Corps jawan martyred in encounter with terrorist

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal condemns the attack on an Indian Air Force station in Punjab's Pathankot district.

Also Read: Arvind Kejriwal condemns Pathankot Air Force base attack

Security was stepped up in Delhi in the wake of the terrorist attack at an Air Force Base in Pathankot that left four attackers and two IAF personnel killed. 

Also Read: Security stepped up in Delhi after Pathankot terror attack

Defence experts dub the attack on the Indian Air Force base in Punjab`s Pathankot as a challenge to the nation, saying that this year is likely to see more such attempts now that dialogues between India and Pakistan have improved.

Terrorists had infiltrated into India three days ago. Sources say they are from Bahawalpur in Pakistan, reports ANI.

Also Read: Pathankot terror attack: Terrorists infiltrated from Pakistan three days ago

The gun battle between terrorists and security forces at the Air Force base that lasted for more than five hours and left two Air personnel and four terrorists dead, has come to an end. Combing operations are underway, say Punjab Police ADGP (Law and Order) HS Dhillon.

According to sources, operation against the terrorists is almost over.

Also Read: Pathankot Air base attack: Key developments so far

Four attackers and two IAF personnel have been killed and 6 security men injured in the encounter.

Top officials have convened an emergency meet at the Air Force Headquarters in Delhi and the situation is being monitored at the highest level.

The Pathankot National Security Guard team and the Garud Commando Force are engaged in the gun battle with terrorists in the non-operational area of the base.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is monitoring the whole operation.

After terrorists attacked the India Air Force base in Pathankot in Punjab, former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah said that the incident was the `first major challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi`s bold Pakistan gambit`.

From past experience I'm sure it emerge that these militants crossed over within the last few hours with the airbase as a specific target.

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) January 2, 2016

The BJP now has to sidestep its previous "terror & talks can't go together" & insulate the Indo-Pak dialogue from such attacks. #Pathankot

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) January 2, 2016

Also Read: Pathankot attack is PM Narendra Modi's first major test against Pakistan: Omar Abdullah

In view of the attack, Punjab has been put on maximum alert while security measures were also tightened in neighbouring Haryana and common capital of the two states -- Chandigarh. Also, the Pathankot-Jammu highway has been put on high alert by security forces to ensure no militant was able to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir.

Also Read: Punjab terror attack: High alert on Pathankot-Jammu highway

Also Read: Pathankot terror attack: Punjab put on alert, security beefed up in J&K

The attack comes one week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a surprise visit to Pakistan, the first by an Indian premier in 11 years, with Saturday`s attack threatening to derail a nascent peace process between the two neighbours.

Also Read: Will Pathankot terror attack derail Indo-Pak peace process?

It is the second big terror attack in Punjab within a year after three militants stormed a police station in Dina Nagar before being eliminated after an encounter in July.

Authorities say that the helicopters and other equipment at the air base are safe. The technical area of the Air Force station is safe, police said, adding that entire area had been cordoned off. 

The terrorists, with huge quantity of RDX in their possession, made their way to Air Force base from back side where there is a jungle.

The attackers have been confined to non-operational area, say police. Helicopters, NSG commandos and SWAT teams have been engaged to kill the militants.

According to reports, the terrorists aimed at destroying the air base.

The assailants, who had abducted the SP, had also made calls to Pakistan, said police.

Also Read: SP abducted by suspected Pak terrorists, alert in Punjab

An Army spokesperson in New Delhi says: "NSG team has also teamed up to foil the terrorist plans; local Brigade Commander of Army is coordinating the operations; in addition UAVs of Army and IAF have also been put into action to get inputs.”

On the basis of developments on Friday, the Indian Army had placed two-Army Columns and an Special Force team in the Pathankot base prior to the attack.

A Superintendent of Punjab police was abducted by a group of armed men in Army uniform on Thursday night. The attackers thrashed the officer before dumping him from vehicle. After the incident, the combing operation was launched in the border areas of Pathankot and Gurdaspur district.

Also Read: SP abducted by suspected Pak terrorists, alert in Punjab

As the security personnel were already alert to the possibility of an attack, the attackers were met with strong resistance, top sources said in Delhi, adding that the terrorists therefore could not enter the air base and managed to reach only to the langer area on the outside.

Gunfire shots can be heard from both the sides, say SSP RK Bakshi. Two attackers have been killed.

At least four to five militants, believed to be from the Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group, attacked the base at 3:30 am. The attack was launched soon after a combing operation was carried out by the Army on Friday in the area between Air base installation and Chakki river. Notably, JeM chief is Azhar Masood, who was released by India after the hijacking of IC-814.

An encounter is on to flush out the terrorists donning Army uniforms.

An Air Force Base in Pathankot, Punjab, has come under attack.