ProMASS News Bureau: Jan 5, 2016:
Joint counter-terrorism operation launched by security forces at Pathankot air base entered the fourth day today. On Monday evening NSG revealed that the 5th terrorist was also eliminated and all strategic assets at the airbase, personnel and families have been secured. Four terrorists were neutralised in the operation on Saturday, while 7 security personnel including one Garud commando, one NSG officer and five personnel of Defence Security Corps have been martyred in the line of duty.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi Monday presided over a meeting of the National Security Council, which discussed the operation at Pathankot air base, the attack on Indian consulate in Mazhar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan and the earthquake in Manipur. Top security officials, including NSA Ajit Doval, were present in the meeting along with Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar.
After the meeting, Arun Jaitley said that security forces were successful in meeting their 3 objectives of ensuring safety of strategic assets, minimal damage and liquidating terrorists. He explained that the operation was long-drawn because the air base is spread across a large area and the terrorists were well trained and heavily armed suicide attackers.
