Army commander visits Pathankot air base

Pathankot (Punjab), Jan 4 (IANS) The Indian Army’s Western Command chief Lt. Gen. K.J. Singh arrived at the Pathankot Air Force Station on Monday even as security forces were engaged in search and combing operations at the frontier air base.

"He visited Pathankot to take stock of the operation and also carry out a review of the security arrangements of other military establishments around Pathankot," an army spokesman said here on Monday.

Mopping operations were in progress on the third day after the base was attacked by terrorists on Saturday morning.

Lt. Gen. Singh appreciated the deliberate conduct of the joint operation and complimented the Indian Army, NSG, Indian Air Force, Special Forces and DSC personnel for their bravery, perseverance and determination, the spokesman said.

"The army commander paid homage to the gallant martyrs by laying a wreath and conveyed his condolences to the families of the martyred soldiers. He also visited the hospital and met the injured soldiers and enquired about their condition," the spokesman said.

Terrorists, suspected to be from Pakistan, had infiltrated into the Indian Air Force base in Pathankot early on Saturday which led to a fierce gun battle with the security forces. Four terrorists were killed on Saturday itself.