The Indian Air Force (IAF) bases in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh have been put on high alert following the warning issued by the intelligence agencies against a suicide attack by Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists in those IAF bases.
J&K air bases on high alert following arms drop by Pakistan drones
According to the intelligence agencies warning on Wednesday, a module of around 8-10 terrorists belonging to the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) might carry out a suicide attack against the Indian Air Force in and around Jammu and Kashmir.
The Air Force bases which have been put on a high alert at ‘orange level’ are of Srinagar, Awantipora, Jammu (all in Jammu and Kashmir) Pathankot (in Punjab), and Hindon (in Uttar Pradesh).
As per the government sources, the senior officers are reviewing the security arrangements round the clock to tackle the threat. Reportedly, the alert was sent out after intelligence agencies monitored the movements of the Jaish terrorists.
This comes at the backdrop of reports that Pakistan is transporting weapons through Punjab route into Jammu and Kashmir. According to the investigative agencies, arms were delivered from Pakistan using drones via the Punjab border eight times over a period of five days–September 6, September 7, September 9, September 10 and September 15. Officers said the drones flew low to avoid detection and may have dropped around 80 kgs of weapons between September 9 and 16.
As per reports, the entire operation came to light after the discovery of the burnt drone, whose eight Chinese batteries were stripped off by the accused on instructions from across the border
Meanwhile, the development of the alert comes just a few days after the National Investigation Agency said in a chargesheet that the Pakistan-based terrorist outfit was plotting several other ‘fidayeen’ attacks across India, including Delhi NCR, similar to the intensity of the attack of the dastardly Pulwama attack on February 14 earlier this year. The February attack in Jammu and Kashmir had left 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel dead.
The NIA named Sajjad Ahmad Khan (27), Tanveer Ahmed Ganie (29), Bilal Ahmad Mir (23) and Muzaffar Ahmad Bhat (25), all Pulwama residents, in its chargesheet.
Meanwhile, last week, a suspicious letter allegedly written by the JeM sent the Haryana Police into a frenzy and security was beefed up in and around all transit points, including railway stations. Rohtak Railway Superintendent Yashpal Meena had received the threat letter on September 14.
