Samples of Pathankot attackers collected for DNA tests

PATHANKOT: The terrorists who attacked Pathankot Air base were possibly aged between 20 and 30 years and the samples of their nails, teeth and bones as also the fingertips have been collected for DNA tests, according to a doctor who conducted post-mortem on them.

"Their (terrorists) physique was normal. They were not very tall and not very short. Their height can be 5 feet 6 inches to maximum of 5 feet 9 inches," Pathankot's Senior Medical Officer (SMO) Bhupinder Singh said today.

Four of the six terrorists could be in the age group of 20 to 30 years, he further said. Bodies of two other terrorists were completely burnt.

A team of doctors yesterday conducted the autopsy of the bodies of the terrorists who were eliminated by security forces in the terror attack at Air Force station here. The autopsy was conducted amid tight security and it took six hours.

The bodies had multiple bullet injuries, the doctor said. "We found minimum of 3 to 4 to maximum of 8 to 10 bullets stuck in their bodies. However, the number of total bullets is yet to be counted," he said.

The doctors collected samples of nail, tooth and bone of slain terrorists which will be sent for DNA testing. "We have also taken the sample of fingertips for their identification," he added.

After the post-mortem, the bodies have been handed over to the police, he further said.

Six terrorists were eliminated by the security forces including NSG, Army, Air Force, after they struck at the Air base on Saturday.