Nawaz Sharif holds high-level meet; discusses Pathankot airbase terror attack

Islamabad: After promising 'prompt and decisive action' against the terrorists responsible for the attack on the crucial Pathankot air base, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday chaired a high-level meet with top ministers, National Security Advisor and intelligence officials.

Reports say that the Pakistan premier discussed the terror attack on Pathankot air base. Six terrorists in Army fatigues attacked the Air Base in Pathankot on Saturday last, leading to an encounter that lasted over four days.

A source privy to the details said that the meeting discussed the Pathankot attack and the information shared so far by India.

"The meeting decided to speed up work on the leads given by India," he said on anonymity.

The meeting was attended by Ishaq Dar, Minister for Finance; Nisar Ali Khan, Minister for Interior; Sartaj Aziz, Advisor on Foreign Affairs; Lt Gen (Retd) Nasser Khan Janjua, National Security Advisor; Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry, Foreign Secretary; Aftab Sultan, chief of Intelligence Bureau and other officials.

In all six militants were killed in the attack which started in the wee hours of Saturday. While the bodies of four were found to be intact, the remaining two were blown into pieces.

Dialling Prime Minister Narendra Modi from Sri Lanka, Pakistan PM on Tuesday gave the assurance after New Delhi provided "specific and actionable information" to Islamabad regarding the terrorists, and Modi underlined the need for Pakistan to take "firm and immediate action" against organisations and individuals responsible for the attack.

The Sharif-Modi telephonic conversation followed the killing of all six terrorists believed to be from Pakistan.

The terrorists were carrying AK-47 rifles, modified Under Grenade Barrel Launcher, pistols, Swiss and commando knives, 40-50 kg of bullets besides 3-4 dozens of magazine and mortars.

The Foreign Secretary-level talks between India and Pakistan scheduled for January 14-15 in Islamabad looks in jeopardy in the wake of the Pathankot attack.