Pathankot attack: Punjab mulls special SWAT team as 'second line of defence'

Punjab, which faced two terror attacks in six months, on Sunday announced deployment of a commando battalion and a special SWAT team in Pathankot as a "second line of defence" and also sought deployment of more Border Security Force troops along the state's border with Pakistan.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal while making the announcement, a day after the terror attack on the IAF base in Pathankot, said the state government was writing to the Centre that BSF deployment should be increased on par with the neighbouring state of Jammu and Kashmir.

"We have to act as second line of defence. Immediately, we will have new police lines established in Pathankot, one commando batallion will also be set up here so that there is quick response (in the wake of major attacks).

"A special SWAT team will be stationed in Pathankot district so that there is quick response if any eventuality happens in the future so that we can take quick action," Badal told reporters.

"The BSF deployment should be increased at least in this area (Gurdaspur and Pathankot) because this is second or third time such an incident has occurred," Badal said.

He said the state police will come out with a "master plan" for second line of defence.

Badal, who held a review meeting with senior police officials after the Pathankot attack, also said that he has directed the police authorities to get "mapping done of all vulnerable points along the border".

"If some terrorists manage to sneak from the border into our territory, so we should look at how we can act as a second line of defence.

"I want technology to be used. We will see how we will act as second line of defence, we will have to use CCTVs, laser technology, ground detection system which are internationally-used across borders, specially this area, Gurdaspur and Pathankot... it needs to be done," he said.

Badal said that he will ask Punjab Police DGP to get in touch with all the experts.

Asked if there was any security lapse and how the terrorists managed to sneak in, he said "investigations have not yet started as operation is still going on".