 "Nawaz Sharif calls PM, Parrikar sees security 'gaps'")
Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday to assure him that Islamabad would take “prompt” and “decisive” action against the terrorists and their organisations who had mounted the operation in Pathankot. The Pakistan PM apparently did not attempt to prevaricate or dissemble as to the nationality of the attackers, especially after proof was provided to him.
A press release put out by the ministry of external affairs said the Indian PM strongly emphasised the need for Pakistan to take firm and immediate action against the organisations and individuals responsible for and linked to the Pathankot terrorist attack. “Specific and actionable information in this regard has been provided to Pakistan,” the release said. The evidence, in the form of a Letter Rogatory (LR), would be sent containing all possible information about the attackers: Phone data, the phone numbers of their handlers whom they called from India and DNA data.
Indian security agencies hope that through the call details, Pakistani authorities would be able to reach the mother of one of the terrorists who had telephoned her saying he was on a suicide mission. The DNA samples would also help to establish that one of the terrorists was her son. Besides, the terrorists have made multiple calls to their handlers, believed to be based in Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab, which is the headquarters of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad. The terror group is suspected to be behind the attack on the Pathankot airbase.
National Security Advisor A K Doval and his Pakistani counterpart, General Nasir Khan Janjua, also spoke on the phone. It is not known who took the initiative.
At the same time, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the actual operation to hunt down the gunmen had ended with the discovery of six badly burnt bodies of terrorists, who carried proof of being from Pakistan. He said combing operations to destroy and defuse explosives would continue. The defence minister conceded that there had been lapses in the operation but blamed the size and terrain of the Pathankot airbase for this. He was clear that he was speaking only on behalf of the defence services and would not comment either on the role of the state government or the National Security Guard (NSG), amid criticism that absence of command and control systems had led to a botched operation. He said the NSG continued to direct operations.
On why the Indian Army had not taken a lead role in the operation, Parrikar said the army had no mandate to operate in civilian areas. A part of the airbase was in civilian areas. Several foreigners, who were undergoing training, were also present at the base, as were 3,000 civilian families. Parrikar said the NSG had worked out how the infiltrators entered, and what route they took, and would take steps to block them. “There is no suspected terrorist inside right now. (Still,) I will not give a negative report till the combing operations are over. The combing operations may be over by tomorrow,” he said in reply to questions. Also, the operation was on only for 36 hours, and not 60-plus hours, as claimed by many, he said.
Parrikar said the seven security personnel killed during the attack would be treated as martyrs, which would entitle their families to all the benefits available to a “battle casualty” in war-like situations. He said the terrorists were carrying 40-50 kg of bullets and mortars, which were fired from modified under-barrel grenade launchers, besides some magazines.
Replying to questions, he said, “I see some gaps. But I do not think there is any compromise on security.” Once the investigations are over, things would become clearer,” he said, adding every security detail couldn’t be discussed. Parrikar said he was worried as to how the terrorists had managed to come inside the 2,000-acre base, which has a perimeter of 24 km.
Asked about the Pakistani connection, he said there were indications that some of the equipment was made in Pakistan. Parrikar said except the Garud commando, no one else was killed in the direct operation. “Five Defence Security Corps personnel died more because of bad luck. One of them, Jagdish Chandra, virtually grappled with the terrorist before killing him,” he said. Calling the counter-terror operation as “very difficult”, Parrikar said all assets — strategic and buildings —and the families, were secured. The only building that was damaged was the one in which the terrorists were holed up, he said.
He complimented the joint efforts of the Army, Air Force, and the NSG and said they should undertake joint training in future. Brushing aside criticism over opting for the NSG for the main role rather than the special forces of the army, he said, “Fifty per cent of the NSG is made up of the Army only. All assets were provided by the Army and they worked together smoothly.”
A press release put out by the ministry of external affairs said the Indian PM strongly emphasised the need for Pakistan to take firm and immediate action against the organisations and individuals responsible for and linked to the Pathankot terrorist attack. “Specific and actionable information in this regard has been provided to Pakistan,” the release said. The evidence, in the form of a Letter Rogatory (LR), would be sent containing all possible information about the attackers: Phone data, the phone numbers of their handlers whom they called from India and DNA data.
Indian security agencies hope that through the call details, Pakistani authorities would be able to reach the mother of one of the terrorists who had telephoned her saying he was on a suicide mission. The DNA samples would also help to establish that one of the terrorists was her son. Besides, the terrorists have made multiple calls to their handlers, believed to be based in Bahawalpur in Pakistan’s Punjab, which is the headquarters of terror group Jaish-e-Mohammad. The terror group is suspected to be behind the attack on the Pathankot airbase.
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The Pakistani foreign office had a slightly different version of the conversation Sharif had with Modi. According to them, it was to convey his “grief and sorrow” that Sharif called Modi. He told Modi that terrorists would not be allowed to derail the peace process between the two countries and said Islamabad would investigate all leads or information provided by New Delhi.
National Security Advisor A K Doval and his Pakistani counterpart, General Nasir Khan Janjua, also spoke on the phone. It is not known who took the initiative.
At the same time, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the actual operation to hunt down the gunmen had ended with the discovery of six badly burnt bodies of terrorists, who carried proof of being from Pakistan. He said combing operations to destroy and defuse explosives would continue. The defence minister conceded that there had been lapses in the operation but blamed the size and terrain of the Pathankot airbase for this. He was clear that he was speaking only on behalf of the defence services and would not comment either on the role of the state government or the National Security Guard (NSG), amid criticism that absence of command and control systems had led to a botched operation. He said the NSG continued to direct operations.
On why the Indian Army had not taken a lead role in the operation, Parrikar said the army had no mandate to operate in civilian areas. A part of the airbase was in civilian areas. Several foreigners, who were undergoing training, were also present at the base, as were 3,000 civilian families. Parrikar said the NSG had worked out how the infiltrators entered, and what route they took, and would take steps to block them. “There is no suspected terrorist inside right now. (Still,) I will not give a negative report till the combing operations are over. The combing operations may be over by tomorrow,” he said in reply to questions. Also, the operation was on only for 36 hours, and not 60-plus hours, as claimed by many, he said.
Parrikar said the seven security personnel killed during the attack would be treated as martyrs, which would entitle their families to all the benefits available to a “battle casualty” in war-like situations. He said the terrorists were carrying 40-50 kg of bullets and mortars, which were fired from modified under-barrel grenade launchers, besides some magazines.
Replying to questions, he said, “I see some gaps. But I do not think there is any compromise on security.” Once the investigations are over, things would become clearer,” he said, adding every security detail couldn’t be discussed. Parrikar said he was worried as to how the terrorists had managed to come inside the 2,000-acre base, which has a perimeter of 24 km.
Asked about the Pakistani connection, he said there were indications that some of the equipment was made in Pakistan. Parrikar said except the Garud commando, no one else was killed in the direct operation. “Five Defence Security Corps personnel died more because of bad luck. One of them, Jagdish Chandra, virtually grappled with the terrorist before killing him,” he said. Calling the counter-terror operation as “very difficult”, Parrikar said all assets — strategic and buildings —and the families, were secured. The only building that was damaged was the one in which the terrorists were holed up, he said.
He complimented the joint efforts of the Army, Air Force, and the NSG and said they should undertake joint training in future. Brushing aside criticism over opting for the NSG for the main role rather than the special forces of the army, he said, “Fifty per cent of the NSG is made up of the Army only. All assets were provided by the Army and they worked together smoothly.”