Pak navy base attack: gun battle still on
CNN-IBN
Updated May 23, 2011 at 07:38am IST
Updated May 23, 2011 at 07:38am IST
Karachi: A fierce gun battle was on at a military base PNS Mehran on Monday morning in Karachi after terrorists attacked the base on Sunday night.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik confirmed that four navy officers have been killed and three Pakistan rangers have been injured. "This is a terrorist attack. We condemn the attack in which four navy officers have been killed and three rangers are injured. Search operations are on and ambulances have reached the location," he said.
Government officials claim that more than ten militants armed with rockets and explosives raided the naval base on Sunday night.
The incident came just three weeks after al Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden was killed in a US raid in Abbottabad. Following this, al Qaeda had vowed to avenge his killing. But no group has claimed responsibility for this attack so far.
However, Rehman Malik pointed out that Taliban may be behind the act. He said, "Taliban are destroying our assets and they are the enemies of the nation. We have got all our possible resources in time to control the situation. Let's be together. We need to show unity and have to fight against such elements who are in the intention of destroying the peace of our nation."
Fierce gunbattles have continued through the night, and firing was still on. Nine explosions were reportedly heard inside the naval base late on Sunday night. Pakistani media channels reported that two P3 C Orion planes were damaged in the attack.
Reports also claimed that the terrorist may have taken hostages inside the buildings. The government said rescue operations were on in full swing.
Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attack. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in a statement said that this would not deter Pakistan's determination to fight terror on its soil.
Express News reported that an emergency has been declared across Karachi's hospitals. The channel also reported that Pakistani security agencies had prior information about a possible attack at the Naval base in Karachi.
Pakistan navy DG PR Irfan Ul-Haq said, "Terrorists attacked the aircraft. They had automatic weapons. Naval officers and the Pakistani marines have surrounded the terrorists and they are busy controlling the situation."
The high-security area where the attack occurred also houses the PAF's Southern Air Command, Air War College and museum as well as PNS Mehran.
Militants had also attacked two Naval buses in April in which around seven people were killed.
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