Pathankot (Punjab), Jan 3 (IANS): A top Indian Air Force (IAF) officer said on Sunday evening that the operation against terrorists holed up in the IAF base near here was still continuing.

"The operation is still continuing. Engagement is still on. Operation will continue till the whole air base has been cleared of any intruders, any terrorist," Air Officer Commanding of the Pathankot Air Force Station (AFS), Air Commodore J.S. Dhamoon, told the media.

"Today morning, two (terrorists) were engaged. This operation is at the completion stage," Dhamoon said.

"During search operation late in the night, one group was engaged by the Garuds (IAF commandos). One Garud was martyred and one was injured. The terrorists, estimated to be four in number, managed to run away from there and headed to other buildings. They kept firing while running," he said.

He said the terrorists, while running, fired at the DSC (Defence Service Corps) mess where early morning breakfast was being prepared.

"One DSC jawan ran after them, jostled with one of the terrorists who were running. With the terrorists' rifle itself, he killed the terrorist. Thereafter, he was killed by one of the bullets of the terrorists," Air Commodore Dhamoon said.

"The terrorists were cordoned off in one area and the operation continued throughout the night and in the morning (today)," he said.

Air Commodore Dhamoon said seven security personnel were martyred, including one Garud commando, five from the DSC and one officer of the NSG.