PATHANKOT: A massive door-to-door search were carried out just a day after a parliamentary panel claimed some "terrorists were still hiding" in villages close to the "vulnerable" Pathankot airbase. Pathankot SSP Rakesh Kaushal said, "We conducted a search operation in 28 villages starting at 5 am for five hours. We asked people whether they have seen any person or suspect who is not from their village. They said they have not seen anyone."
A total of 300 policemen, including 2 SP-rank officers, conducted search operation in villages like Shira, Akalgarh, Tajpur and Chonga near the base. The team included highly trained and specially equipped Special Weapons and Tactics commandos. However, everything was found to be safe. "We found nothing suspicious," said Kaushal. He has nevertheless, intensified security in the area.
Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs, P Bhattacharya said, "After going back from Pathankot, we made our suggestions to the government and said that there can be further attack on Pathankot... We were told by the villagers that some terrorists were still hiding in the villages there."
Earlier this month, shoot-at-sight orders were issued at airforce station in Pathankot and security was stepped up following intelligence inputs. Meanwhile, a meeting was held between officials of Army, BSF, Air Force and Punjab police to review security arrangements here, the Pathankot SSP said.
