Two Low-Intensity Blasts Rock IAF Station, Drone Usage Likely

J&K DGP Dilbag Singh has said that it is suspected that a drone was used to drop the payload.

Hours after two low-intensity explosions were reported in the technical area of Jammu Air Force Station on Sunday, 27 June, Jammu and Kashmir DGP Dilbag Singh has said that it is suspected that a drone was used to drop the payload (explosive material), reported news agency ANI.

Calling the incident at the IAF station a “terror attack”, Singh said that the police is investigating, along with other agencies. Further, Jammu and Kashmir Police has registered an FIR under Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.

Reportedly an alert has been sounded across Jammu division and in Punjab’s border district of Pathankot.

‘No Damage to Any Equipment’: IAF

Tweeting that a probe is underway, IAF informed:

• 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.

Media reports suggested that two Air Force personnel suffered minor injuries, however no official statement has been made on this.

IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, who is in Bangladesh on an official visit, is monitoring the situation, ANI reported.

Experts from the National Bomb Data Centre, forensic teams and the J&K police reached the high security air base after the explosions, which took place a little before 2 am and within five minutes of each other, NDTV reported.

A team from the National Investigative Agency (NIA) also reached the spot.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to Vice Air Chief, Air Marshal HS Arora regarding the incident. Air Marshal Vikram Singh, on his part, is reaching Jammu to take stock of the situation.

However, as per the airport, all flight operations are functional and only two flights were cancelled on Sunday, owing to operational reasons, ANI reported.

5-6 Kgs IED Found in Another Case

While speaking to ANI, DGP Dilbag Singh also said that in another incident, an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing 5-6 kg was recovered by the Jammu police. He said this was received by an Lashkar-e-Taiba outfit operative and was to be planted at some crowded place.

"Drones with payload were used in both the blasts at Jammu airfield. Another crude bomb was found by the Jammu police. This IED was received by a Lashkar-e-Taiba operative and was to be planted at some crowded place," Singh told NDTV.

“Major terror attack has been averted with this recovery. A suspect is being interrogated. More suspects are likely to be picked up in this foiled IED blast attempt,” he said.

(With inputs from ANI, NDTV and PTI)