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PM presides over high-level meet to discuss Pathankot op

Top security officials, including NSA Ajit Doval, are learnt to have briefed Modi on the ongoing operation in Pathankot as well as the terror strike at the Indian consulate in Mazar-i-Sharif on Sunday.

Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, both members of the Cabinet Committee on Security, were also present at the meeting. 

Soon after returning from his two-day visit to Karnataka, Modi had chaired a similar meeting last night of top officials, including Doval and Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.

The operation against militants holed up at the air base entered the third day on Monday after explosions and firing continued intermittently overnight. 

Security forces had on Sunday killed one of the at least two terrorists on the second day of the attack in which seven security personnel lost their lives, including a Lieutenant Colonel of the NSG. Four terrorists were eliminated on Saturday when they had struck at the air base.

The Prime Minister, meanwhile, asserted that India would always stand with the people of Afghanistan notwithstanding the terror attack on Indian Consulate in Mazar-e-Sharif as President Ashraf Ghani called him up to brief him on the incident.

Ghani also strongly condemned the “cross-border” terrorist attack in Pathankot, an inference to Pakistan, and extended condolences at the loss of lives in it.

During the telephonic call, Ghani briefed Modi about the terrorist attack in Mazar-e-Sharif, a PMO statement said.

The Prime Minister expressed deep appreciation for the exemplary bravery and courage shown by the Afghan National Security Forces in thwarting the terrorist attack in Mazar-e-Sharif and ensuring security and safety of the Indian Consulate and personnel, the statement said.

“Prime Minister conveyed that India would always stand with the people of Afghanistan,” it added.

The Afghan President also expressed support at the loss of lives and property in the earthquake in India.
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