Security beefed up at Pathankot airbase

A senior police official said security agencies had received “credible intelligence inputs”, following which they had put up posters declaring shoot at sight orders on the peripheral walls of the station on Thursday.

Meanwhile, the Army, Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab police conducted a five-hour-long joint flag march in border villages to instill confidence among people on Thursday, SSP Rakesh Kaushal said.

These measures were being taken to dispel fears among residents, he said. The SSP said vigil at the border, especially in 20 villages located near the zero line, has been increased.

“I requested the Army and BSF to help us sanitise the area. Fifteen vehicles were pressed into service, which covered 20 villages identified as ‘most sensitive’,” he said.

A group of armed militants had barged into the airbase on January 2 and shot seven security personnel before National Security Guard sharpshooters gunned them down.