Gunmen attack Pakistan base
Officials said at least four people had been killed in the attack on PNS Mehran in the southern city of Karachi.
Between 15 to 20 gunmen were inside and had attacked hangars housing aircraft, officials said. Witnesses said they could hear gunshots and see smoke rising from the base.
“They were equipped with sophisticated weapons,” navy spokesman Commodore Irfan ul-Haq told Reuters.
Another spokesman said that one P-3C Orion, a maritime patrol aircraft, had been destroyed. “The attackers are still inside and intermittent firing is continuing.”
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the militants had attacked from the rear of the base. “We have been able to confine them to one building and an operation is underway either to kill or capture them.” The Karachi attack evoked memories of an assault on Pakistan’s army headquarters in the town of Rawalpindi in 2009, and revived concerns that even the most well-guarded installations in the country remain vulnerable to militants.
Taliban militants, who have vowed to avenge the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden by US special forces, have carried out several attacks since his death on May 2.
Officials said the gunmen had attacked three hangars housing aircraft.
