Fresh intelligence inputs warn of terror strikes in J&K

Nine combat teams have been placed at maximum alert in Jammu and Kashmir following terror attack at Pathankot airbase.

The teams comprise of India’s best fighting men, as per a report in Hindustan Times.

Fresh intelligence inputs have warned of strikes against high-value military targets ahead of Republic Day, the report quoted a top army official as saying.

The teams have been spread across the state with three Special Forces (SF) teams based in the Kashmir valley.

Two are based in Jammu region and three reserve teams are stationed in Udhampur so that they can response swiftly to terror strikes.

Northern Army commander Lieutenant General DS Hooda was quoted by the Daily as saying that security measures had been tightened and response plans to military-style terror strikes had been worked out.

He added that if required the reserve SF teams could be flown out for any anti-terror mission on short notice.

Each team reportedly consists of close to 100 elite commandos.

Yesterday, accompanied by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited the Pathankot airbase and voiced satisfaction over the counter offensive mounted by the security forces to eliminate the perpetrators.

Facing criticism from Opposition and others over the counter attack taking four days to liquidate the terrorists, Modi visited the facility where he was briefed about the attack and security measures put in place in its aftermath.

He flew to the strategically important airbase where Air Force chief Air Marshal Arup Raha and National Security Guard officials briefed him about the attack and counteroffensive launched against the perpetrators with the help of of maps, aerial pictures and operational photographs, defence sources said.

Army chief Dalbir Singh and chiefs of NSG and BSF were present during the visit.

(With Agency inputs)