Drone attack at Jammu air base: 2 suspects detained, IAF chief monitoring situation | What has happened so far

Two explosions rocked the high security technical area of Air Force Station Jammu on the intervening night of June 26-27. Two Indian Air Force personnel sustained minor injuries but are out of danger.

As per an initial assessment report done by the security establishment, low-flying drones were used to drop the two improvised explosive devices (IED). The likely targets were helicopters parked there. No equipment was damaged, according to the Indian Air Force.

So far, two suspects have been detained. Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, who is in Bangladesh on an official invitation, is constantly monitoring the situation.

Here's what has happened so far.

1) LOW INTENSITY EXPLOSIONS

"Two low intensity explosions were reported early Sunday morning in the technical area of Jammu Air Force Station. One caused minor damage to the roof of a building while the other exploded in an open area. There was no damage to any equipment. Investigation is in progress along with civil agencies," the official Twitter handle of the Indian Air Force tweeted on Sunday morning.

The first blast ripped off the roof of a building at 1:37 am while the second one was on the ground at 1:42 am. The area was cordoned off by security forces within minutes.

2) NO CASUALTIES, MINOR INJURIES

There were no casualties in the incident. Two Indian Air Force personnel suffered minor injuries. They did not require hospitalisation and are out of danger.

Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria spoke over telephone to the two IAF personnel.

The two soldiers are under observation of the Air Force medical authorities and are doing fine, IAF officials said.

3) TWO SUSPECTS DETAINED, FIR REGISTERED

Two suspects have been detained in Satwari area near the Air Force station in connection with the blasts. They have been picked up for questioning.

Meanwhile, an FIR has also been registered at the Satwari Police station in Jammu under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.

4) INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

Apart from the Indian Air Force's internal assessment, a National Investigation Agency team has arrived at the air force station and has begun an extensive search at the site. All angles are being probed by the agency as well as police.

A National Security Guard team and Special Forces team have also reached the station to collect evidence.

5) INITIAL ASSESSMENT REPORT

A big hole in the roof of a building inside the Jammu Air Force Station indicates that an aerial attack using drones was part of a plot to target helicopters, an initial assessment report said.

The blasts took place in the technical area near the hangars suggesting that the helicopters there were the targets.

6) DRONE ATTACK

It is suspected that low-flying drones were used to drop the two improvised explosive devices (IED). This is probably the first drone attack on any defence establishment in the country. An IAF patrol team saw the ammunition being dropped, sources said.

"Use of drone with payload in both the blasts at Jammu airfield suspected to drop the explosive material. Police have registered an FIR and investigation is on," DGP Dilbagh Singh said, adding that the drone was operated by site near the scene of the attack.

Sources in the security establishment told India Today TV that no remnants of the drone were found at the blast site. Only splinters and remnants of explosives used in the blast have been recovered as of yet.

The drone was used only to drop the IEDs. Once the payload was dropped, the drone returned to wherever it came from, sources added.

Moreover, security agencies say news reports suggesting that the drone itself was an IED, are incorrect.

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7) TWIN BLAST A TERROR ATTACK: J&K DGP DILBAGH SINGH

Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Dilbag Singh on Sunday termed the twin explosions at the high security Indian Air Force station in the Jammu airport a terror attack.

In an exclusive interview with India Today, he said that the drone was operated by people near the attack site. He said the conspiracy may have crossed the border but those who executed it were present within the border.

Other sources have also said that the theory that the drone may have come from outside India seems to be unlikely as it cannot go undetected given the distance between the Air Force Station and the border. The drone seems to have been operated from within Jammu city, they said.

8) IAF CHIEF MONITORING SITUATION

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, who is in Bangladesh on an official invitation, is constantly monitoring the situation.

Necessary instructions have been passed to officers on ground for probe into the incident. Western Air Commander Air Marshal VR Chaudhari is on ground, senior IAF officials said.

9) AIRPORT SECURITY REVIEW MEET

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir, held an urgent meeting with officers of Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, Indian Air Force, National Security Guard, CRPF, Director Airport, Senior Superintendent of Police Budgam and others.

Airport security was reviewed at the meeting. The possibility of drone attacks and counter measures were discussed. On June 24, an alert that terrorists may carry out drone attacks was issued in Kashmir.

10) HIGH ALERT

Three main airports - Srinagar Airport, Srinagar Technical Airport and Awantipora air base have been put on high alert after the blasts. Ambala and Pathankot air force stations were also put on alert in the morning.

All flight operations at Jammu Airport are normal.

11) DEFENCE MINISTER REVIEWS SITUATION

On Sunday morning, defence minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the Vice Air Chief and Air Marshal HS Arora about the incident in Jammu. From his official handle, the Union minister tweeted that Air Marshal Vikram Singh was reaching Jammu to take stock of the situation.

Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh spoke to Vice Air Chief, Air Marshal HS Arora regarding today’s incident at Air Force Station in Jammu. Air Marshal Vikram Singh is reaching Jammu to take stock of the situation. — / RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) June 27, 2021

Air Marshal Vikram Singh from the Western Air Command reached Jammu in the afternoon and visited the blast site to take stock of the situation.

(With inputs from Manjeet Negi)

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