Pathankot IAF base attacked, choppers help flush out terrorists

The intrusion by a yet undetermined number of terrorists into the Air Force base at Pathankot began around 3 am on Saturday, a senior military official said. (Source: Express Photo by Rana Simranjit Singh)
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The gun battle has reportedly ended with four of the terrrorists and two Air Force personnel killed. Some Air Force personnel have been injured in the gun fight with the heavily armed intruders. (Source: Express Photo by Rana Simranjit Singh)

The base is now being combed for any remaining intruders. ‘We are in the process of searching and sanitising the base by identifying all our personnel present at the base,’ the official said. (Source: Express Photo by Rana Simranjit Singh)

The intrusion was detected almost as it happened, the official said, and the first terrorist was killed as he was climbing over the 10 meter high wall that also has razor wire on it. (Source: Express Photo by Rana Simranjit Singh)

The intruders who managed to enter were engaged by security forces in the area between the main gate and the entrance to the technical area at the border air base. (Source: Express Photo by Rana Simranjit Singh)

This portion of the air base comprises some administrative office buildings, canteens, housing, the officers’ mess, airmen’s mess. ‘We have bits and pieces of how they gained entry, we are putting it together and we will have a clearer picture soon,’ the official said. (Source: Express Photo by Rana Simranjit Singh)

At least four suspected Pakistani terrorists have been killed in a gun battle with the armed forces at the Pathankot Air Force Station on the Jammu-Pathankot highway. (Source: AP)

The BSF and Punjab Police have thrown a cordon around the air base. Three security personnel have also been killed. (Source: AP)

According to initial reports, the incident is being linked to the missing car of a Punjab SP on Friday morning. (Source: AP)

The attack comes days after PM Narendra Modi’s unscheduled visit to Pakistan. (Source: AP)

It is the second big terror attack in Punjab within less than a year as last year three militants stormed a police station in Diana Nagar before being eliminated after 12 hour gun battle. (Source: AP)

At least four gunmen entered the living quarters of the base, but were unable to penetrate the area where fighter helicopters and other military equipment are kept.

Four gunmen, two guards, killed after pre-dawn attack. Express photo by Rana Simranjit Singh

Tight Security at Pathankot aftrer terror attack on Saturday January 2 2016. Express photo by Rana Simranjit Singh

Officials said the gunmen, wearing army fatigues, managed to enter the Pathankot air base in India's northwestern state of Punjab before dawn on Saturday. Express photo by Rana Simranjit Singh