SRINAGAR: Federal investigator, National Investigating Agency (NIA) is likely to investigate the twin low-intensity blasts at the Jammu airport, reports in the media said. The back to back blasts took place slightly past midnight, hours before Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh embarked on a three day Ladakh visit.
There was no major damage but reports said two personnel survived with very minor injuries. The blasts took place around 1:27 am and 1:32 am. One blast caused minor damage to the roof of an airport building, while the other exploded in an open area. The blasts were reported from the technical area of the airport.
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.
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) June 27, 2021
Earlier it was said the drones were used in the twin attacks but it is yet to be established.
However, Jammu and Kashmir Police Chief Dilabgh Singh told news gatherer ANI that it was a terror attack. “Drones with payload were used in both the blasts at Jammu airfield. Another crude bomb was found by the Jammu police. This IED (Improvised Explosive Device) was received by LeT outfit operative and was to be planted at some crowded place,” Jammu and Kashmir police chief Dilbag Sing told news agency ANI.
Use of drone with payload in both the blasts at Jammu airfield suspected to drop explosive material. Another IED weighing 5-6 kgs was recovered by Jammu police. This IED was received by LeT outfit operative & was to be planted at some crowded place: J&K DGP Dilbagh Singh to ANI pic.twitter.com/ti6FnXnvra
— ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2021
Jammu Police Chief said they have arrested one person and put Jammu on high alert. He said only one person was injured in the low-intensity explosions. India Today reported that the Indian Air Force stations in Pathankot, Ambala and Awantipora have also been placed on high alert.
Even though the investigations are going on, the blasts have not impacted the routine working of the airport. However, two early morning flights were cancelled and authorities attributed it to “operational reasons”.
Defence Minister is reported to have talked to Vice Air Chief, Air Marshal HS Arora and the IAF is flying Air Marshal Vikram Singh and a high-level IAF team to Jammu to take stock of the situation.
The mysterious blasts preceded the 3-days visit of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Ladakh. He will interact with ex-servicemen, local representatives and inaugurating various infrastructure projects in the region. Army chief Gen M M Naravane is accompanying the minister. “Rajnath will carry out a comprehensive review of India’s operational readiness amid a stalemate with China on the next stage of disengagement at several friction points in eastern Ladakh,” a newspaper quoted official sources saying.
“Sources said the Defence Minister will visit various key formations and high-altitude bases in Eastern Ladakh to assess the ground situation as well as to boost the morale of the troops guarding the Line of Actual Control in a hostile environment.”
