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India Urges Pakistan To Take 'Firm' Action After Base Attack


Indian security personnel stand outside the air base in Pathankot, Punjab, on January 5.
Indian security personnel stand outside the air base in Pathankot, Punjab, on January 5.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged his Pakistani counterpart to take "firm and immediate action" against those behind an attack on an Indian air base near the country's border with Pakistan.

Modi "strongly emphasized the need for Pakistan to take firm and immediate action against the organizations and individuals responsible for and linked to the Pathankot terrorist attack," the Indian government said in a statement posted on January 5, after Modi spoke by telephone to Nawaz Sharif.

Seven Indian soldiers were killed in the attack that began early on January 2 and dragged on for nearly four days as the troops struggled to contain the heavily armed attackers in the sprawling compound.

Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said on January 5 that six attackers were killed and that a search operation was under way to make sure no militants remain on the facility.

An air force spokeswoman said that "there has been no firing since the night on January 4 at the base."

The United Jehad Council, an alliance of 13 Kashmir-based rebel groups, claimed its "highway squad" stormed the base.

India accuses Pakistan of arming and training insurgents in its portion of Kashmir. Pakistan denies the claim.

Based on reporting by AP and AFP

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