Pathankot on high alert after reports of suspicious movement

Security in Punjab's Pathankot district has been tightened after reports of suspicious movement being detected in the area. The border district of Pathankot houses an Air Force base which came under attack in January 2016.

Acting on the tip off early Thursday morning, the security forces immediately spread out in large numbers and searched various locations in the region.

The ITI building, where the suspects were reportedly spotted, was also thoroughly checked.

Police said it has been receiving inputs of suspicious movement for the last 3-4 days. 

"There were such inputs since past three to four days that some suspicious movement has been spotted. We reacted accordingly but till now nothing substantial has been found. We are collaborating with other agencies too and the search is on," SPS Parmar, IG Border Zone, was quoted as saying by ANI.

Suspicious men stopped a Maruti Alto car belonging to a local man late on Sunday night asking for a lift. However, Maskin Ali who was with his relatives suspected that the hitchhikers could be terrorists; hence he left the car and ran away.

Ali later informed the Punjab Police about the same after which the search operation was launched on Monday morning.

"Some men claiming to be a part of Army asked me for a lift. I let them in but soon realised they weren't army men. As we tried to escape they attacked us, during our tussle they fled with my car. We informed police about this at night (on Sunday) itself," Maskin Ali, a resident of Pathankot said. 

The security has been beefed up and check posts have been alerted.

Dinanagar in Gurdaspur and the Air Force base in Pathankot were attacked by terrorists in July 2015 and January 2016, respectively. 

Seven security personnel were killed in the terror attack on Pathankot Air Force base.

(With ANI inputs)