Modi chairs meeting on Pathankot terror attack

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reviewed the situation arising out of the terror attack at Pathankot air force base in Punjab. Soon after his return from Karnataka last night, Mr Modi chaired a meeting of top officials including National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.

According to sources, during the meeting in New Delhi, Mr Doval gave a detailed account of the attack which has been going on since the wee hours of Saturday. The meeting lasted for over two hours. Sources said, the implications of the attack on relations with Pakistan are also believed to have been deliberated upon in the meeting.

Earlier during the day, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar also briefed the Prime Minister



on the latest situation at the Pathankot air base. Earlier yesterday, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also held a meeting in New Delhi with some former Foreign Secretaries and Indian High Commissioners to Islamabad for diplomatic consultations on Pakistan Strategy.

The security forces have already killed four terrorists. Two more terrorists are believed to be still holed-up inside the base, and an operation is underway to flush them out. Fresh exchange of fire was reported yesterday at the attack site between the security forces and terrorists. A joint combing operation by the armed forces, police and security personnel was still underway and the National Investigation Agency, NIA has taken over the probe.