JAMMU: In what's believed to be the primary use of drones during a terror attack on an Indian military facility, two blasts happened at the Air Force base in Jammu Airport within the early hours of Sunday.
Two Indian Air Force (IAF) personnel suffered minor injuries within the explosions that happened a touch before 2am at the high security airport, reports the international media. Reports say the explosions, at 1.37am and 1.43am, were heard a kilometer away.
One of the blasts caused damage to the roof of a building within the technical section, while another bomb exploded in an open area. "The attack at the IAF station in Jammu may be a terror attack," said Jammu and Kashmir captain Dilbag Singh.
An FIR has been registered under the anti-terror Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act that permits the arrest of suspects and their detention for up to 6 months without evidence. The National Investigation Agency has appropriated the probe.
Teams from the IAF, the National Bomb Data Centre, forensic experts and therefore the Jammu and Kashmir police also are investigating the attack.
The captain said another major strike was averted when a terrorist was arrested with an IED (Improvised Explosive Device) that was to be used for a strike "in a crowded place". The arrest isn't linked to the airport attack, Dilbagh Singh said.
"Drones with payload were utilized in both the blasts at Jammu airfield.” Another crude bomb was found by the Jammu police. Jammu airport may be a dual use facility under the IAF control, also wont to operate passenger flights. Jammu Airport director Pravat Ranjan Beuria told PTI there was no disruption in flights.
Several media reports claimed that helicopters of the Indian Air Force within the technical area near the hangars were the target. Sources keeping track of the event within the case said investigating officials had accessed a CCTV footage. The authorities also are investigating a possible role of a terrorist outfit.
A high-level meeting was underway at the station with senior police and Indian Air Force officials attending , sources said. The blasts happened hours before Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and military Chief General MM Naravane began a three-day visit to Ladakh to review India's operational readiness and to interact with troops.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s office said he spoke to Vice Air Chief, sky marshal H S Arora, over the incident. Meanwhile, Pathankot was placed on alert, with police fixing 14 security checkposts within the area.
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