Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar - File Photo
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said Tuesday Pakistani non-state actors were responsible for the Pathankot attack but added they couldn’t have carried it out without the support of the Pakistani establishment.
“… Some non-state actors from Pakistan are involved in this. Itna to zaroor hain koi bhi non-state actor wahan ke support ke bina can’t function smoothly without taking support from them,” Parrikar said in response to a question in the Rajya Sabha. “Intelligence was received indicating the Pathankot Army installation as a suspected attack point. We have now done security audit also in addition to the normal security, and are in the process of ensuring that all army installations will be properly secured.”
In a written response to an earlier question, Parrikar had ruled out the possibility of shifting the Pathankot air base. “There are no operational issues which indicate lack of coordination among security agencies. A joint operation by the Army, Air Force and NSG was conducted to neutralise the terrorist attack.” He said the government has set up a committee under a former vice chief of Army staff to inter alia suggest measures to strengthen security of military establishments.