India: US urges Pakistan to act against attackers of Indian air base

The US wants Pakistan to "live up to its pledge" and act against the terrorists who attacked an Indian air force base in the Indian state of Punjab. A coalition of terrorists groups called the United Jihad Council has taken responsibility for the attack, in which five terrorists and seven Indian soldiers died.

"We want to see the government of Pakistan continue to press the fight against terrorists, all terrorists, and to meet their own expectations that they're not going to discriminate among groups. They've said themselves and our expectation is that they'll live up to that pledge," US State Department spokesman John Kirby said. Kirby also called on all South Asian nations to work together to root out terror networks from the region and to bring the attackers of the Indian air force base to justice.

The terror attack began on 2 January when terrorists dressed in Indian army uniform entered the residential quarters situated inside the 2,000-acre air force base in Pathankot, near the Pakistan border. Heavy gun battle between the terrorists and Indian security forces followed for over two days. Gunshots were also reported on 5 January.

According to reports, at least one terrorist could still be inside the air force compound. Indian security forces were still carrying on a search and combing exercise.

Pakistan government has said it is working on "leads" provided by the Indian government. "In line with Pakistan's commitment to effectively counter and eradicate terrorism, the government is in touch with the Indian government and is working on the leads provided by it," Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson said.

The terrorist attack came days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a surprise visit to Lahore to meet his counterpart Nawaz Sharif.