India investigates use of drones as twin blasts rock IIOJK air base

SRINAGAR:

India launched an investigation into the suspected use of drones after two explosions rocked an Air Force Station in Jammu area of Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), two senior security officials said on Sunday.

The explosions in the early hours of Sunday injured two people and caused minor damage to a building, the officials said. They added that the blasts have caused concern in security circles as they could mark the first time that drones have been used in an attack in India.

New Delhi has struggled for decades to dampen pro-freedom sentiments in the occupied Himalayan region of Jammu and Kashmir, which has a Muslim majority population, blaming Pakistan for supporting freedom fighters there. Islamabad denies involvement.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi told leaders from Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday that elections would be held there once constituencies in the region have been reconfigured following the revocation two years ago of the region’s semi-autonomous statehood.

Also read: IIOJK leadership unanimous on revoking Aug 2019 steps

A top government official in New Delhi said Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is expected to review the security situation and that the latest blasts are being probed.

“Investigations are in progress along with civil agencies,” the Indian Air Force tweeted on Sunday, adding one blast caused minor damage to the roof of a building at the station, while the other exploded in an open area.

“There was no damage to any equipment,” it said.

Separately, a senior security officer told Reuters that the suspected use of drones in the attack, if established, would present a major challenge for security forces in the area.