New Delhi:
Defence facilities in Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab, including Pathankot airbase, have been placed on orange alert after intelligence agencies received fresh inputs about the infiltration of a group of terrorists from Pakistan, reported news agency ANI. The agencies have asked all the air bases in Punjab, Jammu and other surrounding regions to stay on high alert. "The Defence bases in and around Punjab and Jammu are on high alert. The Indian Air Force has put its airbases in Punjab, including Pathankot and Jammu on an orange alert," news agency ANI quoted government sources as saying.
"The inputs were received by forces today morning after which they are taking all precautions to protect the defence bases," it added.
The fresh alert has been issued just a couple of days after the IAF brought down a high alert. Security agencies have been asked to be ready for any eventualities since August 5, when India revoked Article 370 - a constitutional provision that had given significant autonomy to the state of Jammu and Kashmir for decades.
Also Read | Labourer From Chhattisgarh Shot Dead By Terrorists In Jammu And Kashmir's Pulwama
Intelligence inputs have suggested that terrorists are planning to strike major defence facilities across the country. Last month, security agencies had said a terrorist module of Jaish-e-Mohammed (Jem) terrorists had recruited suicide bombers. The module has eight to ten terrorists and they may try to carry out suicide attacks to target air force bases.
Earlier this month, an active terrorist of Jaish-e-Mohammad was arrested by the Jammu and Kashmir police in Baramulla. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered from the suspected Jaish terrorist. He was identified as a local Kashmiri named Mohsin Saleh. He had reportedly joined Jaish-e-Mohammed terrorist group recently. Baramulla IG Md Suleman Choudhary claimed that he was planning to attack security forces.
