 PATHANKOT, India (AP) — Suspected militants infiltrated an Indian air force base near the border with Pakistan on Saturday and exchanged fire with security forces for hours, leaving at least four gunmen and two Indian troops dead, officials and news reports said. Gunmen attacked the air force base near the border... (Associated Press) 
 
 An Indian armored vehicle moves near an Indian air force base in Pathankot, 430 kilometers (267 miles) north of New Delhi, India, Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016. Gunmen attacked the air force base near the border... (Associated Press) 
 
 Although it was unclear who staged the attack, it was being seen as a possible attempt to undo recent progress made in relations between archrivals India and Pakistan, coming just a week after the first visit to Pakistan in 12 years by an Indian prime minister. She said that the combing operation was expected to continue through the night, and that the full number of casualties would be clear once the base was completely secured. But there had been intelligence reports of a likely attack in the Pathankot area, and the attackers were seen on aerial surveillance when they entered the base, the Defense Ministry statement said. Mr. Singh did not confirm a report from the Press Trust of India news agency that three members of the security forces had also been killed, but Home Minister Rajnath Singh said in a Twitter message that security personnel had died. The Himalayan region of Kashmir is divided between India and Pakistan, but is claimed in its entirety by both. The attack came after Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India made an impromptu trip to Pakistan to meet Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Dec. 25, the first such visit in almost 12 years. Terrorist attacks on security forces and military bases are unusual in Punjab, and more often seen in the border state of Jammu and Kashmir, which is north of Punjab and has a persistent insurgency. Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Saturday’s attack in a statement. Mr. Singh, the minister, said on Saturday that India wanted peace with Pakistan, but also said that “if there is any terror attack on India, we will give a befitting reply.” 
 
 In July, gunmen wearing Indian Army uniforms opened fire on a civilian bus and then took over a police station in the Gurdaspur district of Punjab.
– Two members of India's security forces and a civilian were killed Saturday when gunmen stormed the Pathankot air base near India's border with Pakistan, CNN reports. The New York Times and AP are stating at least four shooters have been killed, while CNN claims all five of the suspected militants are dead. The shootout on the base lasted for approximately 15 hours. According to the AP, India's security forces were able to keep the shooters away from areas containing helicopters and other military equipment. "I congratulate the nation's security forces for turning the intentions of our country's enemies into dust," India's Prime Minister Modi says. "They didn't let them succeed. And I salute the martyrdom of the soldiers who sacrificed their lives." Indian officials had been tipped to a possible attack, and security at the base had been increased in response, CNN reports. According to the AP, the shooters were spotted by aerial surveillance immediately upon entering the base near security force living quarters. While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, many see it as an attempt to undo recent progress in relationships between India and Pakistan. The Times reports Modi met with Pakistan's Prime Minister Sharif just over a week ago. It was the first meeting between the countries' leaders in a dozen years. India has accused Pakistan of supporting militants in the area in the past. Saturday's attack was condemned by Pakistan in a statement.