NE NEWS SERVICE
NEW DELHI, JUNE 27
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is probing whether the two low-intensity explosions at its base in Jammu on Sunday were part of a terror attack, people familiar with the defence and security establishment said.
There was no damage to any equipment. Investigation is in progress along with civil agencies.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 27, 2021
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s office said he spoke to Vice Air Chief, Air Marshal HS Arora over the explosions.
Investigators are also examining the possible use of drones to drop the explosives at the airport that has various assets of the IAF, they said.
In a Twitter post, the Indian Air Force (IAF) said two “low-intensity explosions” were reported early Sunday morning in the technical area of Jammu air force station and one of them 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,” it said.
The people cited above said all angles, including the possible involvement of terror networks in the explosions, are being probed.
“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,” it tweeted.
The people cited above said Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria has been apprised about the explosions.
The IAF chief is on a three-day visit to Bangladesh from Saturday.
Two people were injured as two ‘low intensity’ explosions within a gap of five minutes rocked the high security technical area of Jammu airport in the early hours of Sunday, officials said.
While the nature of the blast is being ascertained, two suspects, including one hardcore LeT terrorist, have been arrested for their alleged role in the explosion. A 4.7 kg IED has also been recovered.
The explosions took place around 1.40 am. The first blast ripped off the roof of a building and the second one was on the ground. The blasts were so intense that the sound could be heard in a radius of two kilometers.
Sources said prima facie it looks like drones were used to drop IED in which two barracks were damaged.
There were no immediate reports of any casualties. Teams of Jammu and Kashmir police along with other security agencies and forensic experts have reached the spot to ascertain the nature of the blast. A high-level meeting is underway. The investigation is on and further details are awaited.
Security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar early this month detected and later defused a suspected improvised explosive device. A suspicious IED planted in a steel container weighing approximately 10 kg was detected near the government quarters in Chanpora, an official had said.
He said a bomb disposal squad later defused the explosive device without causing any loss of life or damage.
