ATTOCK: The valiant personnel of Pakistan Air Force and SSG Commandoes of Pak Army have completed the operation against the attackers at Kamra air base in which all eight militants have been killed while search for more miscreants is still underway in the surrounding area of the facility, sources said Thursday.
All the dead militants have been identified as foreigners, sources told.
According to PAF spokesman, seven to eight militants stormed into PAF Base Minhas and in a two-way clash all eight were killed while one body of a suicide bomber, a foreigner, strapped with explosives has been found close to the impact area. One security man was also martyred in the attack.
The base commander was also wounded and forces were searching the rest of the base to ensure no other gunmen remained, the military said.
“The aircraft parked at the base are safe and no J-F Thunder planes were present at the facility,” he confirmed.
There are reports of six security personnel being injured, one of whom is said to be in critical condition.
A C-130 aircraft is flying over the area of impact to help locate the hiding militants, if any.
Earlier, nine-ten militants, disguised in security forces’ uniform, launched an armed attack on Kamrah airbase in the wee hours of Thursday where fierce gun-battle took place and blasts were also heard.
The militants made their way into the base from the direction of Pind Salman Makhan.
The intrusion was followed by a gun-battle between security forces and assailants which started at 2:00 AM and continued till 6:00 AM.
The militants also used hand grenades in the attack, sources said.
Normally, about thirty aircraft remain parked at Kamra airbase.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior has ordered to beef up security in and around all the airports and airbases of the country. Order has also been issued to step up security in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
It may be mentioned here that Karachi Naval Base, PNS Mehran had been attacked in a similar manner on May 22, 2011. The militants had killed several Naval personnel besides destroying two P-3C Orion aircraft.