Search operation in Pathankot after suspected terrorists spotted

Chandigarh, April 16 (IANS) Security agencies are on high alert and carrying out search operation in the border belt of Punjab, particularly in the frontier districts of Pathankot and nearby areas, on Monday after two suspected terrorists were seen in the area.

The Punjab Police, Army and para-military forces launched the search operation after the two suspected armed men in Army fatigues were seen near the border belt of Bamyal sector, bordering Pakistan and Jammu and Kashmir.

Pathankot district police chief Vikas Sheel Soni told the media that the security agencies had launched a search operation in the border belt.

The suspected men stopped a Maruti Alto car belonging to Maskin Ali late on Sunday night and sought a lift. However, Ali and his friend sped away, suspecting that they could be terrorists.

Ali informed the Punjab Police following which the search operation was launched on Monday morning.

Security agencies in the troubled state of Jammu and Kashmir have also been alerted about the movement of the suspects.

The Pathankot air base of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was attacked by terrorists, suspected to be from Pakistan, on January 2, 2016, leaving seven people dead.

The area has defence establishments, including the frontier IAF base and the nearby Mamoon Cantt of the Army.

Prior to the terrorist attack on the IAF base, three suspected Pakistani terrorists had carried out an attack in Dinanagar town in neighbouring Gurdaspur district on July 27, 2015.