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Pakistan: Troops 'end attack on Mehran naval air base' | Pakistan: Troops 'end attack on Mehran naval air base' |
(40 minutes later) | |
Pakistani troops have ended a siege by militants who attacked a naval base in the city of Karachi, navy sources say. | Pakistani troops have ended a siege by militants who attacked a naval base in the city of Karachi, navy sources say. |
The troops are now said to be "mopping up" after the raid, which has left at least 12 soldiers dead. | The troops are now said to be "mopping up" after the raid, which has left at least 12 soldiers dead. |
The attackers were said to have taken hostages after storming the Mehran naval aviation base overnight. Some militants may still be in the compound. | |
The Pakistan Taliban says the raid was to avenge Osama Bin Laden's killing by US special forces on 2 May. | 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. |
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. |
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. | 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. |
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says the Karachi incident will revive fears about the security of Pakistan's nuclear installations. | The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Islamabad says the Karachi incident will revive fears about the security of Pakistan's nuclear installations. |
Aircraft burned | Aircraft burned |
On Sunday evening at 2230 (1730 GMT), militants stormed three hangars housing aircraft at the Mehran base, according to officials. | 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 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 were killed, officials say. | Some of the militants were killed, officials say. |
The remaining gunmen took several officials, reportedly including Chinese military personnel, hostage inside a building. | 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. |
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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