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Gunmen attack Pakistan air force base in Peshawar Gunmen attack Pakistan air force base in Peshawar
(about 2 hours later)
Militants have killed at least 16 worshippers at a mosque inside an air force base in Peshawar, officials say. Militants have killed at least 17 people after attacking an air force base in the northern city of Peshawar.
The gunmen stormed a guard post and then entered the Badaber air base and attacked a mosque at the site, Major General Asim Bajwa said. The gunmen, dressed in police uniforms, stormed the Badaber air base on Friday morning, Major General Asim Bajwa said.
He said security forces killed 13 militants and were searching for the remaining gunmen. Sixteen of the victims were killed during morning prayers at a mosque inside the compound, Gen Bajwa added. The other victim was an army officer.
The Pakistani Taliban said they ordered the attack. Peshawar has frequently been targeted by militants.The Pakistani Taliban said they ordered the attack. Peshawar has frequently been targeted by militants.
Last December, more than 150 students and teachers were killed when Taliban gunmen attacked an army-run school in the city. Gen Bajwa said the militants entered the base, which is 10km (6 miles) south of Peshawar, at two points and then split into groups.
Gen Bajwa said a rapid response force engaged the attackers on Friday morning and contained them around a guard room. A rapid response force was dispatched to the scene and contained the attackers around a guard room, he added.
"Clearance operations" were in progress to secure the site, he added. Thirteen militants were said to have been killed by security forces, although the Taliban said just one of their fighters died.
An unnamed military official told the Reuters news agency that the militants had "explosives-laden jackets and were armed with hand-propelled grenades, mortars, AK-47 rifles". The total number of gunmen involved is unclear, but Gen Bajwa said his forces were hunting for the remaining attackers.
Reports say about 20 people, including 10 soldiers, were also injured in the exchange of fire. Reports say about 20 people, including 10 soldiers, were injured in the exchange of fire.
Analysis: M Ilyas Khan, BBC News, Islamabad
The attack on Badaber air base is the first on a military target since a Pakistan navy ship was attacked in Karachi's dockyard in September last year. It is the bloodiest since last December's massacre of 150 pupils and teachers at Peshawar's Army Public School.
The air base - which is essentially a residential complex rather than an operational one - is located on the southern-most tip of Peshawar's administrative limits. It is surrounded by tribal territory, which has been the hub of criminal and militant activity until recently.
The attack comes amid claims of success by the military in its 15-month operation in the tribal region, and may well be an attempt by militants to show they can still hit hard targets.
It also exposes holes in Pakistan's pre-emptive intelligence gathering mechanisms, mainly due to lack of co-ordination and information sharing among various security agencies.
In an email, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Muhammad Khurasani said a "suicidal unit" had carried out the attack.In an email, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Muhammad Khurasani said a "suicidal unit" had carried out the attack.
An unnamed military official told the Reuters news agency that the militants had "explosives-laden jackets and were armed with hand-propelled grenades, mortars, AK-47 rifles".
It is so far unknown if the militants had any insider support, as has been the case in previous attacks.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack, saying: "Terrorists will be rooted out from the country."Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack, saying: "Terrorists will be rooted out from the country."
Are you in Peshawar? Have you been affected by the recent violence? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.Are you in Peshawar? Have you been affected by the recent violence? Email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with your experiences.
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