This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-34287385
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 6 | Version 7 |
|---|---|
| Gunmen attack Pakistan air force base in Peshawar | Gunmen attack Pakistan air force base in Peshawar |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Militants have killed at least 17 people after attacking an air force base in the northern city of Peshawar. | Militants have killed at least 17 people after attacking an air force base in the northern city of Peshawar. |
| The gunmen, dressed in police uniforms, stormed the Badaber air base on Friday morning, Maj Gen Asim Bajwa said. | |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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 the militants entered the base, which is 10km (6 miles) south of Peshawar, at two points and then split into groups. |
| A rapid response force was dispatched to the scene and contained the attackers around a guard room, he added. | A rapid response force was dispatched to the scene and contained the attackers around a guard room, he added. |
| Thirteen militants were said to have been killed by security forces, although the Taliban said just one of their fighters died. | Thirteen militants were said to have been killed by security forces, although the Taliban said just one of their fighters died. |
| The total number of gunmen involved is unclear, but Gen Bajwa said his forces were hunting for the remaining attackers. | 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 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 | 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 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 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. | 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. | 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 un-named 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. | 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." |
| The military launched operations in North Waziristan in June 2014 to target militant hideouts, involving air force and ground troops. | |
| Correspondents say this has helped lead to a significant reduction in large-scale Taliban attacks in Pakistan. | |
| According to some reports, militant attacks decreased by 70% in 2015. | |
| 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. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or please use the form below: | Or please use the form below: |