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Pakistan: Militants attack Karachi naval air base Pakistan: Troops 'end attack on Mehran naval air base'
(about 2 hours later)
Gunmen have attacked a military base in the Pakistani city of Karachi, killing at least 11 soldiers, officials say. Pakistani troops have ended a siege by militants who attacked a naval base in the city of Karachi, navy sources say.
The attackers are now holding hostages, including Chinese military personnel, at the Mehran naval aviation base. The troops are now said to be "mopping up" after the raid, which has left at least 12 soldiers dead.
Eight hours after the incident began, blasts and gunfire were heard as security forces brought in more troops and tackled the militants. The attackers were said to have been holed up in an office building with hostages after storming the Mehran naval aviation base overnight.
The Pakistani Taliban says it is responsible for carrying out the attack. The Pakistan Taliban says the raid was to avenge Osama Bin Laden's killing by US special forces on 2 May.
"It was the revenge of martyrdom of Osama Bin Laden. It was the proof that we are still united and powerful," Ehsanullah Ehsan told Reuters news agency."It was the revenge of martyrdom of Osama Bin Laden. It was the proof that we are still united and powerful," Ehsanullah Ehsan told Reuters news agency.
He said the attackers had enough food and ammunition to "fight and survive for three days".
The Taliban have vowed to avenge the killing of 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.
Clouds of black smoke billowed over the Mehran airbase when I arrived about half an hour after the attack began.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.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.
Initially, there was intermittent gunfire. However, 15 minutes after I arrived there was an exchange of fire that lasted for several minutes.Initially, there was intermittent gunfire. However, 15 minutes after I arrived there was an exchange of fire that lasted for several minutes.
We had to lie on the ground as bullets and shrapnel whizzed over our heads.We had to lie on the ground as bullets and shrapnel whizzed over our heads.
As I left the scene, several army trucks and armoured personnel carriers hurried into the compound to boost the troops battling the militants inside.As I left the scene, several army trucks and armoured personnel carriers hurried into the compound to boost the troops battling the militants inside.
On Sunday evening at 2230 (1730 GMT) militants stormed three hangars housing aircraft at the Mehran base, according to officials. The attack is similiar to a raid in October 2009 in which Taliban militants laid siege to the army headquarters in the garrison town of Rawalpindi, killing dozens.
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." The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says the Karachi incident will revive fears about the security of Pakistan's nuclear installations.
Aircraft burned
On Sunday evening at 2230 (1730 GMT), militants stormed three hangars housing aircraft at the Mehran base, according to officials.
Their first targets were aircraft parked on the tarmac and equipment in nearby hangers, says the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan at the scene.Their first targets were aircraft parked on the tarmac and equipment in nearby hangers, says the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan at the scene.
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. 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.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. The gunmen then opened indiscriminate fire, killing several naval personnel as they carried their 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. 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. Some of the militants were 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. The remaining gunmen took several officials, reportedly including Chinese military personnel, hostage inside a building.
At dawn on Monday, three loud blasts were heard, followed by gunfire.At dawn on Monday, three loud blasts were heard, followed by gunfire.
"The operation still continues. It is not over yet," one security official told Reuters news agency. 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 belowAre you in Pakistan? Did you witness the attack? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below
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