No headway in Dinanagar attack yet as Punjab grapples with another

Several security experts have been expressing concern at the fact that Punjab could not even ascertain the route of the terrorists

Written by Kanchan Vasdev

Chandigarh | January 2, 2016 01:22 PM IST

3 min read

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The Punjab police had refused to hand over the Gurdaspur attack investigations to NIA and has failed to make any headway in the attack, even after five months. (File/PTI photo)

Worst fears of security experts about another terror attack due to incomplete investigations in Dinanagar attack on July 27 last year came true today when five terrorists attacked Air Force station in Pathankot early this morning.

The Punjab police, that had refused to hand over the investigations to National Investigation Agency (NIA) then, failed to make any headway in the attack, even after five months. Several security experts have been expressing concern at the fact that Punjab could not even ascertain the route of the terrorists, conveying an impression that some agencies were more concerned about saving their own skin rather than the security of the country.

Senior functionaries in Punjab police, on anonymity, admit to the Indian Express that it was shocking that a nation was attacked and neither the identity of the terrorists was known, nor their origin. The Punjab police spent all the energies on making it a turf issue instead of handing over the probe to the NIA.

The police had constituted a Special Investigative Team (SIT) headed by the Director, Bureau of Investigations, ADGP IPS Sahota, to probe the attack. The SIT was later handed over to Rohit Chaudhary. Sahota told the Indian Express that the GPS coordinates indicated different locations but other security agencies never agreed to Punjab police theory.

Only last month, BSF IG Anil Paliwal came out openly against the police to say they had checked the border after launching an extensive exercise but no indications suggested the terrorists having crossed the border from Punjab.

Punjab police has been sticking to its stand saying even if terrorists did not enter India from Pathankot, they would have come from the J&K border, and BSF was supposed to protect these borders too.

A senior police officer said, at the time of the attack the police suspected that the militants were from the Shakargarh tehsil of Pakistan. It was suspected they entered India from Tash area falling under Pathankot district.

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Earlier, the police had stated the GPS coordinates from two devices found on the terrorists indicated they were from Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, showed a map which they allegedly used to make their entry into India. The route coordinates pointed to their having crossed the Ravi, moved Makoura (Gurdaspur) in Punjab and then Marara in Gurdaspur tehsil before entering Dinanagar, 18 km from the border.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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