Pathankot terror attack: NSG commando killed, toll of securitymen rises to 7
Pathankot: A fresh grenade blast ripped through the air force base on Sunday morning claiming the life of an NSG commando, as three other security men succumbed to injuries in a hospital after Saturday's terror attack taking the toll of Indian security personnel to seven. According to reports, security forces suspect that two terrorists are still inside Pathankot airbase.
Lt Col Niranjan, a member of the NSG's Bomb Disposal Squad, was killed while he was defusing the grenade at the scene of the terror attack as part of the combing operations that continued through the night. Four other security men were also injured in the blast.
Defence sources said Niranjan, a resident of Kerala, was killed while trying to retrieve the grenade from the body of a dead terrorist.
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Three members of the Defence Security Corps (DSC) succumbed to injuries in the hospital here during the night. Four attackers, a Garud commando and three DSC were killed on Sunday when heavily-armed Pakistani terrorists had attempted to storm the base, triggering a day-long gunbattle at the airbase, barely 35 kms from the Indo-Pak border.
Among those battling for their lives in the hospital are 8 DSC personnel and a Garud commando.
Meanwhile, the joint combing operation was still underway, a police official said, adding that the NIA had taken over the probe into the terror incident. Some senior officials of the Punjab Police led by DGP Suresh Arora are also present.
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Search and combing operation continued at the base a day after a gunfight that lasted over 17 hours. The attackers are believed to belong to Jaish-e-Mohammad headed by Maulana Masood Azhar of the Kandahar hijack episode.
The security around the area remained tight and defence personnel were seen patrolling the area. The technical area, where the IAF's MIG-21 fighter jets, MI-35 attack helicopters and other critical assets were stationed, was secure, they said.
Security agencies, including the Army, National Security Guards (NSG), Indian Air Force, para-military forces and Punjab Police were involved in the massive search operation inside the IAF base and nearby areas.
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IAF helicopters could be seen flying over the base and nearby areas through the night and since early Sunday to assist ground forces in the operations.
Meanwhile, security was also stepped up in the national capital and several states including airports, railway stations, bus stands and other vital installations.
Police patrolling has also been intensified and every vehicle entering in the state from interstate borders is being checked thoroughly.
