Pathankot Airbase Attack

1. 2016
Pathankot
Attack

2. How it actually happened
 1) Jan 1 [~ 9:00 PM] Suspected JeM terrorists got
into Innova taxi at a village near Khatana T-point on
Jammu-Pathankot Highway. After a 1.5 km the driver
crashed into a rock and the terrorists believed to
have killed the driver and took the car to the T-point.
 2) After the terrorists have reportedly reached
Khatana T-point in the damaged car, they intercepted
a police vehicle carrying SP Salwinder Singh. Taking
control of the car, the terrorists held SP Salwinder,
his friend Verma and Verma’s cook hostage.

3.  3) The terrorists rode past police checkpoints reportedly
taking advantage of the SUV’s blue beacon and reached
Akalgarh village, 500 metres away from the Pathankot Air
Force base.

4.  4) Jan 2 [ ~ 12:00 to 2:00 AM]: The terrorists tied the SP and
Verma’s cook, and took Verma along with them to the
airbase. Learning that Salwinder Singh was a senior police
officer, they were instructed by their handlers to head back to
hold SP hostage again. By that time, the SP and the cook
managed to escape and the terrorists decided to get rid of
Verma. The terrorists also reportedly made some calls using
Verma’s phone.

5.  5) Jan 2 [~ 3:00 AM] The terrorists then stormed into
the base through a entry point that adjoins the village.
That area of the housing for personnel, administrative
offices, an officers’ mess and the DSC Mess. Five DSC
men were shot at by the terrorists.
 6) Jan 2 One terrorist was reportedly shot dead as he
was clambering over a 10-ft wall topped by concertina
wire. After the shooting spree at DSC Mess, the
terrorists split into two groups. One group hid in a
building next to a furniture yard, while the other hid in
sarkanda, a patch of tall grass, an official said.

6.  7) Jan 2 [~ 9:00 AM]: NSG personnel arrive at the
base. Four terrorists reportedly killed in the operation.
Nearly 80% of the Air Force base sanitised.
 8) Jan 2 [~ 10:00 AM]: Gunshots heard from within the
airbase again. Sound of three grenade blasts heard
too. NIA reaches Pathankot airbase. Aerial firing by IAF
choppers at the site.

7.  9) Jan 2 [~ 5:00 PM]: The likely plan of the
terrorists to destroy valuable assets of the Air
Force has been foiled. Currently the operation
is going on: IAF. Fifth terrorist was reportedly
neutralized as combing operations continue.

8.  10) Jan 3 [~ 9:00 PM]: Search operations resume
at Pathankot air base after Saturday’s terror
attack. While there were reports of firing being
heard inside the base, they were attributed to
combing operations. Helicopters were also seen
flying over the base, to assist ground staff.

9.  11) Jan 3 [~ 12:30 PM]: Lt Col Niranjan of the NSG
has lost his life during a combing operation at the
Pathankot Air Base. Meanwhile, fresh firing has been
reported from inside the Air Force Base, in what could
be an indication that the operation is currently on.
 12) Jan 3 [~ 1:00 PM]: At least two terrorists are still
inside the Air Force Base, Kunwar Vijay Partap Singh,
DIG/Border range told CNN-IBN adding that it was still
unclear how many terrorists are still inside.
 13) Jan 3 [~ 2:00 PM]: In what could spell more trouble
for the defence forces engaged in eliminating the
terrorists at the Pathankot Air Base, Kunwar Vijay
Partap Singh, DIG Border Range Punjab Police has
now said that there could be more terrorists holed up
inside.

10.  14) Jan 3 [~ 4:00 PM]: Building inside air base facing
Akalgarh village destroyed by security forces. One
terrorist was believed hiding there. Total Indian forces
injured in the operation till now: IAF personnel: 6
dead, 8 injured and NSG: Lt Col Niranjan dead, 12
injured.
 15) Jan 3 [~ 5:00 PM]: Second line of defence to be
setup. SWAT and BSF troops to be deployed for
completely securing the airbase.