ATTOCK: Nine militants were killed after security forces completed the operation against the attackers of the Kamra Airbase early Thursday morning.
Militants stormed into runway area of the PAF Base Minhas at around 2:00 AM from the direction of nearby village Pind Salman Makhan.
The militants, disguised in security forces’ uniforms launched an armed attack which was followed by a furious gun-battle between the security forces and assailants.
The militants used hand grenades and rockets during the attack due to which one aircraft was badly damaged. However security officials were successful keeping the militants away from the hanger and all other aircraft remained secure during the attack.
One security official was martyred during the attack, while Base Commander Air Commodore Mohammad Azam who oversaw and took part in the operation was injured.
Meanwhile Air Force spokesman Tariq Mahmood confirmed that troops had secured the airbase approximately eight hours after the attack.
Banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan all the attackers were Pakistani and the plan was hatched some time ago.
Defence Minister Naveed Qamar said minimal losses were incurred during the attack because of the preparedness of security forces. He added that since the airbase was located near a residential area there was always a risk of infiltration.
The Pakistan Air Force has also released images of the attackers to the media.
In May 2011, Naval Base PNS Mehran located in Karachi was attacked in a similar manner. Several Naval personnel were killed by militants during the attack and two P-3C Orion aircrafts were destroyed.