New Delhi: Security agencies are alarmed after NIA found a key lead suggesting possible role of an insider element in the Pathankot IAF base terror attack.
The NIA is working on the lead which suggests that, the concertina wire atop the 10-feet boundary wall of the airbase was possibly cut from inside and not outside, Times of India quoted its sources as saying.
“A look at the wire soon after the attack had aroused suspicion that it was not the terrorists, but possibly a collaborator inside who cut the wire. The fact that the light at the spot was not working only confirms the location was consciously picked by those who had prior knowledge that the area would be dark,” the TOI report quoted its sources as saying
"The state and placement of the damaged concertina wire is different depending on whether it is cut from outside or from inside.”
Earlier, reports suggested that an employee of the Army's Military and Engineering Services (MES) had helped a group of Pakistani terrorists to infiltrate IAF base in Pathankot. The floodlights, findings say, near the wall of the IAF base, which is 11-foot-high, were not functioning as three of the powerful lights were turned upward. This resulted into throwing the entire area into darkness.
The agency will run forensic tests on the concertina wire to scientifically and conclusively establish that it was cut from the inside.
Last month, seven security personnel were killed in the attack on the Pathankot Indian Air Force Station by six terrorists who crossed over from Pakistan. All the six terrorists were killed by security forces later.
The Pathankot IAF base is home to 18 Wing. It has been at the forefront of the action in both the 1965 as well as the 1971 conflict.
