Jaish-e-Mohammed chief was a handler for the Pathankot attacks: reports

Intelligence officials held Masood Azhar and three others responsible for orchestrating the attack on the air base, PTI reported.

Jan 07, 2016 · 07:51 pm Updated Jan 07, 2016 · 07:57 pm

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Jaish-e-Mohammed chief was a handler for the Pathankot attacks: reports — Indian army soldiers take up position on the perimeter of an airforce base in Pathankot on January 3, 2016, during an operation to 'sanitise' the base following an attack by gunmen. The deadly assault on an Indian air base near the Pakistan border was "a heinous" terrorist attack, the United States said, urging the two rivals to work together to hunt down those responsible. Three security officers were killed in the attack by suspected Islamist militants on Pathankot base in northern Punjab state early January 2. At least four attackers also died in shootouts with security forces. AFP PHOTO/NARINDER NANU / AFP / NARINDER NANU | AFP

Indian authorities have identified the chief of the Jaish-e-Mohammed terror group, Masood Azhar, as one of those who orchestrated the terror attack at the Pathankot air base, PTI reported. Intelligence officials named Azhar and three others – Asfaq Ahmed, Haji Abdul Shakur and Kashmir Jan, as handlers in the terror attack.

The four-day siege was planned in Markaj, Pakistan, officials said. The information came on the day External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Vikas Swarup said Pakistan must take action on the intelligence India has provided to them. This includes information on the identities of the handlers, NDTV added. According to ANI, the Border Security Force has launched an internal inquiry into the attacks and will submit a report in 15 days.

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