The battle with militants at an Indian military facility has ended, Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar said Tuesday at a news conference held on the base.
Six militants were killed at the Pathankot base near the border with Pakistan, along with seven security personnel and one civilian.
An umbrella group of Kashmiri militants, the United Jihad Council, had claimed responsibility for the Saturday attack. However, a report by CNN affiliate CNN-IBN cited government sources that denied the group’s involvement.
When asked about possible Pakistani connections, Parrikar said, “There are some indications that some of the material seized was made in Pakistan. Investigations are under way.”
Security forces combed the property looking for explosives, Parrikar said, and it didn’t appear any militants are left on the base.
The Home Ministry initially said the attack was contained on Sunday, but it later emerged that militants were still at the site. Security forces worked Monday to “eliminate” two remaining militants.
Security forces seized AK-47s, grenades, commando knives and mortars, Parrikar said.
When asked if the attack occurred because of security failures, Parrikar said, “I do see some gaps but I don’t think we compromised security.”
Officials said they had received intelligence about a possible attack and had beefed up security at the airfield and repulsed the attackers before they reached any sensitive areas.
As the attack was under way, authorities in New Delhi also ramped up security.
“We are taking all precautionary measures. Security has been tightened,” Rajan Bhagat, the city’s police spokesman, said Monday.
In a Twitter post, Delhi police Commissioner B.S. Bassi advised residents to immediately report suspicious activity, people and objects to authorities.