India: Fight To Secure Pathankot Air Base Continues

January 3, 2016 | 15:56 GMT

Gunfire and a blast were heard at an Indian air base at Pathankot near the northern state of Punjab on Jan. 3, as troops reportedly battle the remnants of a group that attacked the site, an Indian official said, BBC reported. At least four attackers and seven Indian soldiers have died. The official said two gunmen were still at large, contradicting reports that the base was secured Jan. 2. The identity of the attackers is not clear. India's Punjab state is on alert following the attack. The attack is being seen as a blow to an apparent peace initiative launched after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an unexpected visit to his Pakistani counterpart, Nawaz Sharif.