Two dead as gunmen attack Indian air base near Pakistan
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 2 January 2016 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Two dead as gunmen attack Indian air base near Pakistan, 2 January 2016, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/56c4289911.html [accessed 30 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
January 02, 2016
Officials say Indian troops killed four gunmen who had entered an Indian air force base near the border with Pakistan and exchanged fire with security forces in the early hours of January 2.
At least two Indian soldiers were also killed in the gunbattle, local media reported.
The suspected Islamic militant gunmen entered the living quarters section of the Pathankot air force base, but were not able to penetrate the area, which houses fighter helicopters and other expensive military equipment, said air force spokeswoman Rochelle D'Silva.
Pathankot is on the highway that connects India's Jammu and Kashmir state, a hotbed of insurgency, with the rest of the country. It's also very close to India's border with rival Pakistan.
The violence comes amid an effort to restore more peaceful relations between India and Pakistan. A week ago, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on his birthday.
The two also had an unscheduled meeting at the Paris climate change talks and had decided to start a dialogue to resolve outstanding issues. Their foreign secretaries are scheduled to meet in Islamabad later this month.
Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
