MOSCOW (Sputnik) — A group of gunmen in army fatigues stormed the Pathankot air base in the Punjab region early on January 2. Four of the attackers were taken out in a shootout that also killed at least seven security personnel. The exchange of fire continued into the third day as the gunmen launched an offensive.
5 January 2016, 12:00 GMT
According to the Zee television channel citing intelligence sources, the group’s leader, Maulana Masood Azhar, and his three accomplices "handled" the attack. Two of the attackers had previously hijacked an Indian passenger plane.
Relations between India and Pakistan have been strained since they declared independence from Britain almost 70 years ago. Both countries lay claims to the Kashmir region in India’s north. The attacked Pathankot base lies on the road to the contested area.
The Jaish-e-Mohammed group, designated as terrorist in numerous countries, seeks to separate Kashmir from India.
