NEW DELHI: The terrorist strike on Pathankot Airbase in January was carried out by Pakistan’s “non-state actors” who operate with support of the Pakistani establishment, government indicated in the Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.
“Complete details will come out in the NIA investigation. But in this, non-state actors from Pakistan are surely involved. Any non-state actors there, they cannot function smoothly without full state support,” defence minister Manohar Parrikar said.
The minister was responding to a question by Shiv Sena member Sanjay Raut, who wanted to know whether it was merely a terror attack or an armed operation carried out with the support of Pakistani army.
Parrikar also said intelligence was received about the possible attack indicating Pathankot Army installations as suspected targets. Following the attack, steps are underway to ensure that vital defence installations in the country are secure.
“We have now done a security audit in addition to the normal security and are in the process of ensuring that all army installations will be properly secured,” he said.
Asked if the Airbase would be shifted from Pathankot in Punjab as it is perilously close to the border, Parrikar ruled it out. He refused to share further details of the attack, saying the NIA is already investigating the matter and investigations are on.
In a written reply, the minister said: “Government has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of a former vice chief of army staffs to inter-alia suggest measures to strengthen security of various military establishments across the country.”
