PM Modi reviews Pathankot attack scene, Uma Bharti says 'world's best anti-terror ops'

Pathankot: Under attack from the Opposition over the way the Pathankot terror attack was handled with Indian security forces taking four days to neutralise the terrorists, Modi went on location Saturday and said he is satisfied with the Indian counteroffensive which, incidentally, has come in for widespread flak.

Not to be outdone, Union Minister Uma Bharti called the Indian response the world’s best anti terror operation.

Accompanied by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Modi flew to the strategically important air base where Air Force chief Air Marshal Arup Raha and National Security Guard officials briefed him about the attack and counteroffensive launched against the perpetrators with the help of maps, aerial pictures and operational photographs, defence sources said. Army chief Dalbir Singh and chiefs of NSG and BSF were present during the visit.

After his visit to the airbase, the prime minister’s office tweeted his remarks:

Visited Pathankot air base today. Had a detailed briefing from senior leadership of Army, Air Force, NSG & BSF: PM pic.twitter.com/S6JngIopcY

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 9, 2016

Was briefed in great detail on how our forces neutralised such a serious terrorist attack: PM @narendramodi after visiting Pathankot

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 9, 2016

Noted with satisfaction the decision-making & its execution, the considerations that went into our tactical response: PM @narendramodi

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 9, 2016

Also noted coordination among various field units. Lauded bravery & determination of our men & women on the ground. They are our pride: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) January 9, 2016

Modi also went around the scene of the audacious attack that exposed the chinks in the armour of the Indian security establishment and was shown the huge cache of weapons and ammunition recovered from the six slain perpetrators. Seven Indian security personnel were also killed during the assault.

It was world’s best anti-terror operation: Union Minister Uma Bharti on #Pathankot pic.twitter.com/KZDPSH5afp

— ANI (@ANI) January 9, 2016

The prime minister was taken around the Military Engineering Service Yard where the terrorists were first engaged by the security forces and the two-storey billet for airmen’s accommodation where the last two terrorists were killed after the structure was blown up by security forces, before undertaking an aerial survey of the forward positions along the Indo-Pakistan border.

Security forces had on Friday declared the sprawling Air Force station fully sanitised after a massive combing operation spanning over three days.

PTI