Pathankot on alert, search op on

Ravi Dhaliwal

Tribune News Service

Pathankot, September 27

A massive search operation was launched by the Pathankot police after they received a tip-off that some “suspicious persons” were loitering near a private school on the Jalandhar-Dalhousie bypass.

At the time of filing this report, the school and some adjoining buildings were cordoned off by a police team, led by SSP Rakesh Kaushal. A massive search operation was launched in and around the city and heavy police force was deployed at strategic points on the Pathankot-Jammu national highway. The SSP said he had informed senior officers in Chandigarh about the development.

“The IG (border range) and the DIG have also been informed. If the need arises, we will call in reinforcements. The Air Force and Army authorities too have been given information about the movement of some suspicious people. There were some rumours that an Army uniform, including a belt, had been found from the bushes near the school. However, after cross checking the facts, we came to know that some people had floated these rumours. We have identified them and will take them into custody once the search operation ends,” he said.

“All roads leading to the city have been sealed and check posts have been established. A general alert has been sounded in the entire district. Patrolling near the international border has been increased,” the SSP said.

Residents living near the base were being questioned and people were being asked to remain indoors. Civilians who were present in the base for official duties were being asked to move out.