Government admits ‘some gaps’ in handling of Pathankot

Experts feel calling in NSG was a mistake; combing ops end; drug angle to be probed

Defence minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday admitted to “some gaps” in the wake of the terrorist strike at the Pathankot airbase, and voiced concern that the terrorists managed to enter the airbase (despite advance intelligence warnings), while sources in the security establishment told this newspaper the main security “lapse” was that the government failed to hand over control of the Pathankot anti-terror operation to the Army and its special forces, based closer at Nahan in Himachal Pradesh, and instead chose to call in the NSG from New Delhi, which is not trained for a defensive role. Sources also said it needs to be probed if there was any connivance of border-guarding personnel of the BSF as well as the role of the Punjab police as the terrorists may have used the drug smugglers’ route to enter Punjab.

Government sources are convinced the terrorists were planning to carry out a 26/11-type operation and intended to target not only the IAF’s fighter aircraft and helicopter gunships but also about “3,000 families” of defence personnel at the airbase, especially since the terrorists were carrying a staggering 40-50 kg of bullets, AK-47s, modified under-grenade barrel launchers, pistols, Swiss and commando knives, besides three to four dozen magazines and mortars. Asked about the Pakistani connection, defence minister Manohar Parrikar said at Pathankot there were indications some of the equipment recovered from the terrorists had been made in Pakistan, and confirmed that all six terrorists who attacked the base had been neutralised. Combing operations are virtually over but a formal announcement is likely to be made on Wednesday.

On Tuesday, a top security source told this newspaper: “The main security lapse was that the government failed to hand over charge of the situation to the Army and its special forces once the intelligence inputs were received of a possible imminent attack in Pathankot. Initially, the government only wanted deployment of two columns of the Army and flew the NSG personnel to Pathankot despite the fact that the NSG is not trained for defensive roles. The Army special forces stationed at Nahan (Himachal Pradesh) could have been easily rushed in as they were much closer to Pathankot. The special forces have extensive experience and expertise in counter-insurgency operations. Even the regular infantry units have tremendous experience and could have prevented the entry of terrorists into the airbase, had the situation been handed over to the Army. There were a multiplicity of security agencies at the spot and this proved to be more of a hindrance.”

However, brushing aside criticism over opting for the NSG for the main role rather than Army special forces, defence minister Manohar Parrikar said: “50 per cent of NSG is made up of the Army. All assets were provided by the Army and they worked together smoothly.” The minister said the initial focus was to secure all the assets at the base, where 3,000 families were staying, besides the foreign trainees from five to six countries.

Mr Parrikar also announced that all those seven security personnel killed in the attack will be treated as “battle casualties” that will entitle them to all benefits available to wartime casualties. Visiting Pathankot on Tuesday, the defence minister said: “I see some gaps. But I do not think there is any compromise on security.” He went on to add that he was worried at how the terrorists managed to enter the airbase. He said the six terrorists were found to have used some “Pakistan-made material”.

Addressing a press conference after a visit to the forward base, Mr Parrikar said the terrorists were neutralised in an operation that lasted over 36 hours since 3.30 am on Saturday, but combing operations are still on. “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. He said the terrorists were carrying 40-50 kgs of bullets, mortars, which were fired from modified under-barrel grenade launchers, besides some magazines.

“Five Defence Security Corps personnel died because of bad luck. One of them, Jagdish Chandra, virtually grappled with the terrorist before killing him,” Mr Parrikar was quoted as saying, while hailing the “martyrs” who had made the supreme sacrifice.

Calling the counter-terror operation “very difficult”, Mr Parrikar said all assets — strategic and buildings — and the families, were secure. 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 National Security Guards, and said that they should undertake joint training in future. Asked about the failure of the Border Security Force in stopping the infiltration from Pakistan, Mr Parrikar referred to media reports that said “the BSF has already been asked to give details of areas from where terrorists could have entered”.

According to details given by the minister, the encounter started at 3.30 am Saturday and the last contact with the terrorists was made at around 7.30 pm on Sunday.

Mr Parrikar said the operations after that were for combing as there were a lot of live bombs and hence there was a delay in retrieving the bodies. He said the body of the sixth terrorist was yet to be retrieved as the security agencies feared it could be a boobytraped and a grenade could be “stuck up” there. “I have said there is no need to rush,”, the minister said, adding that the forces should take ensure there were no more casualties. “We cannot take a risk. We have already lost one personnel in a booby trap. We should not lose any more,” he said.