CHANDIGARH: The January 2 Pathankot Air Force Station attacks by Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists was not the only one planned. Bathinda and Jaisalmer air bases, too, were targets.
Sources said that the December 29 arrest of dismissed aircraftsman Ranjith K K from Bisiana Air Force base revealed that ISI had carried out a recce of the Pathankot air base a month ago. “He knew about the terror plan as it had figured in his conversation with the woman who was the honey trap. Besides Pathankot, Bathinda and Jaisalmer in Rajasthan were also on the terror radar,’’ said an intelligence officer.
Central agencies have detained two IAF personnel at the Pathankot air base who were in contact with Ranjith. Their cellphone records are being checked.
Sources said security personnel have blocked all entry points to the 1000 acre Bhisiana Air Force base. Bunkers have been set up on roads leading to the base, and police are patrolling adjoining villages. Security has been beefed up at all IAF bases and vital defense installations in the state.
“Sikh terrorist sleeper cells helped Lashkar and Jaish-e-Mohammed attackers to carry out strikes by providing logistical support, like they did in the Dinanagar attack The ISI has directed them to oversee the safety and well-being of Punjab militants,” said an intelligence official.
Sources said that it was likely that the terrorists used the border drug routes to enter India.
The IAF has frontline bases in Adampur near Jalandhar, in Halwara near Ludhiana and in Bathinda. There is a heavy Army presence in Jalandhar, Pathankot, Amritsar, Bathinda and Patiala as well.