THE SHAMEFUL OPERATION 

AT PATHANKOT AIR BASE

Lt Gen H S Panag


It is better to raise a hue and 

cry while the incident is still in 

the limelight. In 2 days the next party 

will begin. 


This op was a disaster from the word go. 

Luck & providence saved the air base. 

BSF always lies. It is a widely known fact 

that infiltration can be effected with 

impunity all around the Shakargarh 

Bulge.  


Yet, the Air Base was poorly guarded.


Intelligence coordination was pathetic . Despite 

windfall of SP Salwinder's carjacking & use of 

his mobile, we were not only slow to respond but 

were actually caught with our pants down. 



Doval held a conference on 01 Jan at 1500 hrs, 

attended, amongst others, by the COAS. Air Base

was assessed as the target. All, except the public, 

were warned. Battery of NSG was despatched to 

the Air Base. Team of SF was flown-in & located 

at Mamun. 

And yet -

No lead agency or overall Commander 

appointed, unless of course, Doval felt he 

could himself control the entire show. 


Areas within and in the vicinity of the Base 

were not combed. Punjab Police failed on many 

an account. 


Why was the Indian Army not tasked at all? If 

the GOC (Division) had been made in charge of 

the operations, the necessary combing would  

have been done as per the SOP. 


Preventive security of the Air Base was not 

beefed up. Given its size, an Inf Bn should have 

been detailed to man the perimeter of the Base 

from within and patrolled it from outside too. 



The state of security of our Air Bases in general 

is pathetic. 4-5 platoons (approximately 50 men 

each), of a rag tag DSC, whose only capability 

is of static security guard duties, are guarding 

our most valuable strategic assets at air bases, 

backed up by 20 - 30 poorly trained Garuds.

Recall Air Fd Defence Bns of '71, which were 

later merged with normal infantry. One of these 

bns was located at Pathankot Air Base.  


No electronic sensors and/or electric fencing 

along walls. Outer periphery not lit up. Civilian 

houses have been allowed to be constructed 

right next to the perimeter wall of the Base.  


Our air bases are sitting ducks. We have been 

singularly lucky that despite Mehran & Kamra, 

ISI did not target Air Bases near IB. 



Despite the 24 hr warning, 6 terrorists scaled 

the wall and entered the administrative area and 

attacked the DSC Mess where, despite warning, 

men were  unarmed despite warning. All of them 

were shot in cold blood by the terrorists. In all 

Seven bravehearts were lost due to the attack. 


Lesser said the better about the response of NSG 

and Garuds. The initial casualty imposed too 

much caution. Indian Army moved in and killed 

2 terrorists while 2 were killed by NSG. 


Surprisingly, while the operations were 

still on, victory was prematurely declared 

by the evening of 2 Jan by one and all, 

including the PM & the HM. 


Fundamental precaution of combing the area 

not taken. Consequently another 48 hrs to 

neutralise one more terrorists. Lt Col of NSG 

was lost due to non-observance of SOPs. A dozen

NSG commandos were wounded. 



Chief Villains of the piece seem to be 

Doval, followed by the IAF. 


What was NSG doing inside a purely Military 

Military installation? At this rate, time is not 

far when the Military, (The Armed 

Forces), will have to take orders from the 

HM, NSA & even the Police. 


Once again, we have become the laughing stock 

of the whole world and presented our 

weaknesses on a platter to the ISI. 


Operations should have been under GOC of the 

Div located in close proximity. Air Base security 

should have been placed under the Indian Army. 


An Inf Bn should have been responsible for 

preventive security. SF Team and Inf Quick 

Response Teams, should have been placed 

inside the base. On 01 Jan, the area in the 

vicinity of the base should have been combed. 


Any one of us familiar with our Air Bases and 

their lack of security and hindsight of Mehran &

would have done this. 



I have openly twittered about all this from day 

one. 


It is better to shame ourselves 

in public to force reforms, 

rather than do nothing and 

have ignominy heaped on us 

again and again!