Only four militants had entered Pathakot airbase: Govt

Putting to end speculation about the number of terrorists involved in Pathankot attack, the government today made it clear that only four militants had entered the airforce station to carry out the strike that left eight people dead.
Minister of State for Home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said "four Pakistan-based terrorists" had carried out the January 2 attack.
"Four Pakistan-based terrorists entered Punjab via Janial road, Dhusi turn, near Ravi river bridge, Gulpur Simli village - Akalgarh and attacked airforce station in Pathankot," he said in a written reply to a question by Congress MP Ravneet Singh, grandson of slain Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.

The Congress MP had asked about the number of terrorists who entered Punjab for Pathankot attack and the route used by them as well as the details of terrorists killed and arrested along with the weapons recovered from them.
Ahir said all these terrorists were neutralised by the security forces. The security forces recovered 4 AK rifles, 32 AK magazines, 3 pistols, 7 pistol magazines, one under barrel grenade launcher, 40 hand grenades and one dagger from them, he said.
The answer is contrary to a statement made by Home Minister Rajnath Singh on March 4 when he had said that charred remains, apart from four bodies of terrorists, were found at the debris after security forces searched the Pathankot airforce station when the operation ended.

"Charred remains were found and sent for forensic examination. We are awaiting for reports," had said.

There was speculation that the Home Minister had made this statement on a presentation made by the elite NSG, which was not corroborated either by defence personnel or central security agencies.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar too had said that six terrorists were involved in the attack.
The National Investigation Agency, which was probing the case, has been maintaining that the investigators had found only four bodies.
The Home Ministry has recently given NIA the sanction to file a charge sheet against Jaish-e-Mohammed chief Maulana Masood Azhar and three others in the Pathankot terror attack.

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Meanwhile, a senior Home Ministry officer expressed surprise over the statement in Lok Sabha that only four militants had entered the Pathankot airforce station and not six to carry out the strike, saying a clarification will be issued in the House tomorrow.
"Multiple clues suggested that there were more than four terrorists in Pathankot. Investigators were yet to come to the conclusion whether there were four terrorists or more.
"Rectification of today's answer given to Parliament question is necessary. So, the Minister will make a statement in Lok Sabha tomorrow to to give the correct position," the officer said.