Pathankot Attack: Timeline of Events

In the early days of January 2016, India watched anxiously as a terror attack unfolded inside the Pathankot Air Force Station in Punjab. What was expected to be a short encounter stretched into a tense, multi-day operation. Here is how the crucial first 72 hours played out.January 1, 2016 — The warning signsLate on January 1, a Punjab police officer was abducted by armed men near the international border.The officer later escaped and alerted authorities.His mobile phone and intelligence inputs provided early clues about a possible terrorist infiltration toward Pathankot.January 2 — The attack beginsEarly morning (around 3:30 am): Heavily armed terrorists entered the Pathankot Air Force Station, wearing Indian Army uniforms.A gunfight broke out between the attackers and Defence Security Corps (DSC) personnel guarding the base.Reinforcements from the Indian Army, Air Force, and National Security Guard (NSG) were rushed in.By evening, several terrorists were neutralised, but the operation continued due to the base’s size and the risk of hidden explosives.January 3 — A long and cautious battleSearch-and-destroy operations intensified across the airbase’s outer perimeter.NSG commandos carried out room-to-room and area-clearing operations.Security forces avoided aerial strikes or heavy weapons to prevent damage to sensitive assets.Casualties were reported among Indian security personnel as forces cleared suspected hideouts.January 4 — Final resistanceIntermittent firing and explosions were reported as remaining terrorists were cornered.Security agencies focused on ensuring no attacker remained concealed within the dense vegetation and structures inside the base.By night, officials indicated that the threat was nearly neutralised, though combing operations continued.January 5 — Operation nears completionSecurity forces declared that all terrorists had been eliminated.Extensive sanitisation and verification checks were carried out to rule out unexploded devices or accomplices.The airbase gradually returned to operational readiness.AftermathThe attack resulted in the deaths of seven Indian security personnel.No aircraft or major strategic assets were damaged.Investigations later confirmed the involvement of Jaish-e-Mohammed, with handlers operating from Pakistan.Why these 72 hours matteredThose first three days tested India’s counter-terror preparedness, inter-agency coordination, and patience under pressure. The cautious approach, though time-consuming, ensured the protection of a critical military installation.A decade later, the Pathankot operation remains a reminder that in counter-terror warfare, time is often the price paid for security.



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