Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal today said the attack at an Air Force base here in which four militants along with three security personnel were killed, is a "direct attack by Pakistan on our soil."
"It's a direct attack by Pakistan on our soil," Sukhbir, who also holds home portfolio, said, adding that "our response will be forceful and unremitting."
Exuding confidence that the Indian forces will deliver a strong message, he said "You can not mess with India and get away with it."
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Meanwhile, top civil and police officials are regularly briefing Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and Sukhbir on the developments in Pathankot, officials said.
The chief minister said that state and central agencies regularly exchange information about threats to national security.
Referring to the terror attack, Badal said "It is an attempt from across the border to destabilise Punjab in order to weaken the country."
He said that the Indian forces will give a befitting reply to any assault on national unity and integrity.
Sukhbir said that the people andgovernment of the state were fully geared to deal with any challengethrown at the state and the country.
The Deputy CM said that the Punjab police and the central security forces "are dealing with the situation effectively andare on top of the aggressors."
He said the state policehad constantly shared inputs with the central agencies and this ensuredthat the damage that any such attack could cause is minimised.
"Ourarmy, other security forces and the Punjab Police will teach the infiltratorsthe lesson of their lifetime," Sukhbir said.
The Home Minister said that the armed and security forces, and the Punjab Police are in a state of full preparedness to deal with any threat to the country.
Lauding the Armed forces and police for their bravery, motivation and commitment, Sukhbir said theyhave always kept the flag flying high and the country is indebted to them.
He said that the people and the government of Punjab have always maintainedvigilance and a state of high alert.
"No one who dares to set his unholyfoot on our land will be allowed to go unpunished. Our people, our armedforces and police and para-military know what to do with enemies of thecountry," Sukhbir said.
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Meanwhile, Deputy CM Sukhbir Badal termed the terrorist attack at the Pathankot air force base "most unfortunate".
Punjab will urge the Centre to completely seal the sensitive spots and increase vigil at the international border in Punjab to curb the infiltration from Pakistan, he said.
He said security agencies are taking necessary action in the aftermath of the attack and search operations are on.
He informed that as per the preliminary reports, the terrorists had infiltrated from Pakistan.
Keeping in view this aspect the Centre should identify infiltration-sensitive spots and install modern surveillance equipment to prevent cross-border intrusion, he said.
He also said Punjab is the most peaceful state and the state government has taken every possible step to maintain peace but some "forces" inimical to harmony are trying to vitiate the atmosphere which would not be tolerated.
He also said the Punjab Police has also been instructed to step up vigil so that such dastardly incidents don't re-occur.
