Top government sources said the men entered at about 3:30 AM into the base, one of the largest of the IAF spread over about 2000 acres, through a gap in the peremitre wall which is heavily forested.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting during which security of vital defence installations were reviewed and a decision was taken to focus more on integrated efforts by the armed forces in the wake of terror attack at an Air Force base in Pathankot Parrikar was briefed in detail by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on the attack.
The meeting focussed on the intelligence inputs received and the counter measures taken by the armed forces including deployment of the NSG commandos, personnel of the special forces belonging to both Army and the IAF besides regular soldiers.
Top government sources said the men entered at about 3:30 AM into the base, one of the largest of the IAF spread over about 2000 acres, through a gap in the peremitre wall which is heavily forested.
"Because of the prior intelligence input, a Quick Reaction Team (QRT) was stationed there which made the first contact with the terrorist within 45 metres into the base," the sources said.
Also read: Terrorists may have sneaked in through Bamiyal village
They added that while one terrorist was killed on the spot, the rest three scattered. The second terrorist was killed around 10 AM while the third and fourth terrorist were killed early evening.
During the 90-minutes long meeting, which was also attended by all the three Services chiefs and the Defence Secretary, the security of vital defence installation were reviewed.
"It was decided to focus on synergy between the assets of the three forces as today's operation was an example of how an operation should be held," the sources said.
Parrikar was given a detailed overview about the intelligence received and the action taken by the security forces to thwart the attack by the group of terrorists, suspected to be belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammed outfit.
Meanwhile, Parrikar tweeted saying he compliments the security forces for swift and effective response.
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