2nd LD Writethru: At least 2 militants killed in attack upon Indian air force base

At least two militants were killed in gunfight with security forces and police when they attacked an air base in the northern Indian state of Punjab near the Pakistan border early Saturday morning, said security forces.

At least six militants in army uniform entered the Pathankot airbase at around 04:00 a.m. local time, triggering a gunfight with security forces, local TV channels quoted security forces as saying.

The attackers earlier kidnapped a local police chief and killed another policeman before entering the air base, according to TV reports.

While two attackers have been killed, at least four others are still at large and could have escaped to some residential areas nearby, said reports.

Earlier reports had put the number of militants killed at four.

Security forces have sent helicopters and reinforcement to look for the remaining attackers and India's National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is personally monitoring the the situation, according to local TV reports.

Although no Mig 28 fighters and helicopters at the air base were damaged in the attack, at least six air force men were injured, according to the reports.

Authorities said they received reports of possible terrorist attacks during the new year period and had heightened alert in places which could be targeted.

Indications said the attackers could belong to the Jaish e Mohammed militant group based in Pakistan, said TV reports. Endit