Terrorists strike Indian Air Force base in Pathankot

Army personnel during their operation against the militants near the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot on Saturday evening.

India was put on high alert on Saturday following a terror attacks in Pathankot. A security person stands guard at the India Gate in New Delhi on Saturday in the wake of militants attack at an IAF base in Pathankot.

Indian army soldiers take positions outside the Indian airbase in Pathankot, 430 kilometers (267 miles) north of New Delhi on Saturday.

Army vehicles move towards the Indian Air Force base during an encounter between the security forces and terrorists in Pathankot on Saturday.

Pakistan's role became even more evident with reports of call intercepts revealed that the terrorists were in touch with their handlers in Pakistan. A total of four calls were made to Pakistan just hours before the terrorists launched the attack.

At least five militants, believed to be from the Jaish e Mohammed terrorist group, decked in Army uniforms launched the attack in the wee hours with an aim of destroying the air base, a top security official said.

The group of terrorists was detected by aerial surveillance platforms as soon as they entered the Air Force Station at Pathankot, says IAF.

Security forces have neutralised five suspected Pakistani terrorists who staged an attack on an Air Force Base in Punjab's Pathankot district, triggering an encounter. Three IAF personnel were martyred and 6 security men were injured in the gunbattle that ensued.