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Pakistan: Militants attack Karachi naval air base | Pakistan: Militants attack Karachi naval air base |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Gunmen have attacked a military base in the Pakistani city of Karachi, killing at least 11 soldiers, officials say. | |
The well-armed attackers set off explosives and have been fighting gunbattles with navy personnel at the Mehran naval aviation base. | |
The gunmen are now holding hostages, including Chinese military personnel. | |
No group has claimed the raid, but the Pakistani Taliban have vowed to avenge the killing of Osama Bin Laden by US special forces on 2 May. | No group has claimed the raid, but the Pakistani Taliban have vowed to avenge the killing of Osama Bin Laden by US special forces on 2 May. |
They have carried out several attacks since then. | They have carried out several attacks since then. |
Battle continues | |
On Sunday militants stormed three hangars housing aircraft at the Mehran base, according to officials. | |
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said: "We have been able to confine them to one building and an operation is underway either to kill or capture them." | Interior Minister Rehman Malik said: "We have been able to confine them to one building and an operation is underway either to kill or capture them." |
Clouds of black smoke billowed over the Mehran airbase when I arrived about half an hour after the attack began. | |
Ambulances with sirens wailing stood outside the gate of the compound, which was sealed soon after the attack began. They were joined by dozens of TV satellite trucks and journalists. | |
The base is located next to the Shahrah-e-Faisal - Karachi's main road - and many interested onlookers stopped their vehicles to find out what was happening. | |
In the distance, flames could be seen in the horizon beyond the perimeter wall. | |
Initially, there was intermittent gunfire. However, 15 minutes after I arrived on the scene there was an exchange of fire that lasted for several minutes. | |
We had to lie down on the ground, as the bullets and shrapnel whizzed over our heads. | |
Later, as I left the scene, several army trucks carrying dozens of army troops and armoured personnel carriers hurried into the compound to boost the troops battling the militants inside. | |
Flames can be seen in the distance, and intermittent gunfire continues as troops battle the militants inside, says the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan at the scene. | |
Their first targets were aircraft parked on the tarmac and equipment in nearby hangers. | |
Eyewitnesses say the militants used rocket propelled grenades to damage and destroy several warplanes. These included the Pakistan navy's premier anti-submarine attack jet - the US made P-3C Orion. | |
At least two of these multi-million dollar aircraft were set ablaze. | |
The gunmen then opened indiscriminate fire, killing several naval personnel as they carried their deadly raid into the heart of the base. | |
Subsequently, navy commandos and marines launched a counter assault. Dozens of heavily armed army reinforcements also arrived to provide cover. | |
Some of the militants have now been killed, officials say. | |
The remaining gunmen have taken several officials, including Chinese military personnel, hostage inside a building. Security officials say commandos are now being sent in to clear this area. | |
On Friday the Taliban bombed a US consulate convoy in Peshawar, killing one Pakistani. | On Friday the Taliban bombed a US consulate convoy in Peshawar, killing one Pakistani. |
Other attacks by Pakistani militants this month include a raid on a security post that killed two police in the north-west and a twin suicide bombing at a paramilitary police training centre. | Other attacks by Pakistani militants this month include a raid on a security post that killed two police in the north-west and a twin suicide bombing at a paramilitary police training centre. |
Are you in Pakistan? Did you witness the attack? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below | Are you in Pakistan? Did you witness the attack? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7725 100 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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