At least 2 gunmen still holed up at Indian air force base

At least two gunmen remain holed up in a two-storey building on an Indian air force base near the Pakistan border and exchanging gunfire with troops, more than two days after they and several others attacked the heavily fortified compound, officials said. At least seven troops and four gunmen have been killed so far in fighting that started after several suspected militants infiltrated the Pathankot air force base before dawn Saturday. The army said on Monday that the building where the remaining gunmen were firing from is part of the living quarters on the base.

It’s a huge embarrassment. It’s a major goof-up for everybody.

Rahul Bedi, an analyst for Jane’s Information Group

Maj. Gen. Dushyant Singh, from India’s elite National Security Guard, told reporters in Pathankot that it will take a “long time” to declare the base completely secure because of its size and geography. The sprawling Pathankot air force base is spread over more than 2,000 acres, including some forested sections with very tall grass. The commanding officer of the base, Lt. Col. J.S. Dhamoon, described it as a “mini-city” that includes homes for families and a school for the children of the personnel stationed there. Officials have said that authorities had been alerted about a potential attack in the area on Friday, and that aerial surveillance at the base spotted the gunmen as they entered the compound, leading to criticism of the handling of the situation.

World Pathankot