IAF chief warns more Pathankot-type terror attacks possible

Bengaluru :  Indian Air Force chief B.S. Dhanoa on Saturday hinted at more Pathankot-type terror attacks on military bases in the country.

“…The military will continue to get targeted, like it happened at Pathankot. They (terrorists) will try and surprise us by attacking in a totally new location,” he delivering the annual lecture in the memory of late IAF chief, Air Chief Marshal L.M. Katre here.

A heavily-armed terror group from across the border attacked IAF’s Pathankot base on January 2, 2016, and seven security personnel were killed before the 10 terrorists were killed in a operation lasting for three days.

“Post Pathankot terrorist attacks last year, the IAF has carried out a



series of measures to enhance its ability to protect,” said Air Chief Marshal Dhanoa.

Reiterating that the IAF had strengthened the defence of its bases, he said intense training had been carried out to counter ‘fidayeen’ attacks.

“As a service, we are prepared for a conflict at a very short notice,” he said.

Ruling out any large-scale terror attack on civil structure as in the 26/11 Mumbai attack, Dhanoa said the military would be targeted.

“The possibility of a large-scale terror attack on civil infrastructure like it happened in Mumbai on 26/11, or on Parliament (on December 13, 2001), is slightly remote, as it will invite worldwide condemnation,” he said.