Kashmir militant alliance claims responsibility of India airbase attack

Kashmir militant alliance United Jihad Council (UJC) on Monday claimed responsibility for the attack on India's military base in Punjab state, local media said.

Local news-gathering service Current News Service (CNS) said Monday that Kashmiri militants associated with the "Highway Squad" and attacked the airbase, citing UJC spokesman Syed Sadaqat Hussain.

"The attack on Pathankot airbase from Kashmiri Mujhadeen carries a message to India that no security establishment and garrison are out of reach of militants," said the spokesperson.

UJC is a conglomerate of around 13 militant outfits based in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir.

At least 12 people - seven Indian troops and five militants - were killed in the gunfight over the weekend at Pathankot airbase, about 430 km north of Indian capital city of New Delhi.

The sixth gunman was killed Monday at the airbase, ending the three-day combing operation against the attackers, according to local media.

On Saturday at 3:30 a.m.(local time), a group of gunmen in military fatigues entered the base firing with automatic weapons and hurling grenades.

Indian officials blame Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed militant outfit for the attack.

The attack came just days after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in Lahore to give boost to the renewed peace initiative between two neighbors.

However, India was mulling cancelling or delaying the Foreign Secretary-level talks with Pakistan following the attack, sources said. Endit