Indian PM Visits Attacked Air Base Near Pakistan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited the Pathankot Air Base, India's sprawling military compound near the Pakistani border that came under attack by a group of gunmen earlier this month.

Indian media reported that tight security measures were in place at the air base in the northern state of Punjab for Modi's visit on January 9.

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 vast compound.

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

Indian officials said the attack resembled previous assaults by suspected Pakistan-based militant groups, underscoring the fragility of recent efforts to revive talks between New Delhi and Islamabad.

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

Based on reporting on AFP and indiatimes.com