‘Name and shame those who support terror’

Speaking at the Counter Terrorism Conference 2016 in Jaipur, Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar said that some countries believe that they can buy peace at home by supporting groups for terror outside, which he said, was “delusional”. He did not name any country. 

While he maintained that India would continue to be in touch with Pakistan with regard to the probe in the terror attack on an IAF base in Pathankot last month, he called for fostering greater international cooperation to fight terrorism while pointing out that even so-called victims of terror do not cooperate on fighting terror on international stage. Jaishankar said that governments must show solidarity through a united message condemning terror attacks. 

“Since Pathankot attack happened, we have been in touch with Pakistan. We have been in touch at my level and the NSA level because only by remaining in touch, we can expect them to progress on the basis of information which we have provided to them,” he said. 

On terrorism in eastern parts of the country, the Foreign Secretary said the Indian government had discussions with Myanmar on fighting terrorism and there is a greater responsiveness to the concerns of India.

“We had some problems with Myanmar and we have also some discussions with them. Some developments took place in the last few months and possibility of terror attacks occurring in the East from beyond the border would come down,” he said in response to a question related to terror activities in the eastern parts of the country.

The IAF has put all its bases under the Western Command on high alert in the wake of the Pathankot terror attack with security forces given shoot-at-sight orders in case of any suspicious movement or trespassing attempt being detected. 

The IAF has taken a number of tough measures following a comprehensive security audit carried out at 54 flying bases, a top official in the Air Headquarters on Wednesday said, confirming that a high alert have been sounded in more than 20 airbases, including all the air stations under the Western Command, where threat perception is higher. 

Briefing reporters about the security measures initiated after the Pathankot incident, the official said a Comprehensive Security System is being devised, which is in its advanced stage. Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA), probing the terrorist attack on Pathankot air base, is likely to examine some personnel of the Indian Air Force to find out whether insiders played a role in the storming of the strategic installation.