Pathankot

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal today hailed the security forces for thwarting the attack by a group of heavily-armed Pakistani terrorists at an Air Force base here and urged Centre to “effectively seal” the border to curb the menace of cross-border terrorism.

The united effort of the state and central security agencies have once again foiled the nefarious designs of the anti-national forces, he said.

“The entire country salutes these brave hearts that are ever ready to combat any such move,” Badal said.

Badal said that it was the high time that Centre take a call on cross-border terrorism by “effectively sealing” the border.

In a pre-dawn attack, a group of heavily-armed Pakistani terrorists, struck at an Air Force base here in Punjab, leading to a fierce gunbattle in which three security personnel were killed along with four attackers.

Interacting with the people at the residence of Ikagar Singh who was killed by the terrorists on Thursday night here, the CM said that state government was fully committed to preserve the peace and communal harmony in Punjab and no one would be allowed to disturb it at any cost.

“Ikaagar Singh was a national martyr, who laid his life for the country,” Badal said.

The Chief Minister announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh for the Ikagar’s family besides government job for his wife.

The state government would also give old age pension to parents of Ikaagar, Badal added.

On Thursday night, 4-5 suspected Pakistani terrorists in army uniform had abducted and thrashed a Superintendent of Police and his two associates before dumping them some distance away and speeding away in his vehicle.

The body of Ekagar Singh was found near the SP’s abandoned vehicle at a place 35 kms from Pathankot.

It is believed that the men, who abducted the SP and two others, first snatched Ekagar’s Innova who was on his way back from Kathua in Jammu and Kashmir. They slit his throat and dumped his body near the bridge before fleeing.