Karachi, May 23 (IANS) Suspected Pakistani Taliban launched a massive attack on a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base in the country's southern port city of Karachi late Sunday night, killing at least four people and injuring several others. An adjacent naval facility was also targetted.
The attack took place at about 10.30 p.m. At least five people were injured in the attack, Xinhua reported citing local media reports.
Four powerful blasts were heard near the PAF Base Faisal, named after late king Faisal of Saudi Arabia. Television footage showed thick smoke billowing from the area.
Sound of gunfire was also heard at the PNS Mehran naval facility near the air base. Ambulances were rushed to the site, the report said.
Urdu TV channel Duniya reported that two navy planes were destroyed in the attack.
Another Urdu TV channel ARY, however, reported that nine people, including three military personnel and six militants, were killed in the attack.
It said several military airplanes, including an imported US-made P-3C Orion aircraft were reportedly destroyed in the attack. Geo News said the P-3C Orion was specifically targetted.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik later confirmed the air base was under terrorist attack.
Another local media report said 10-15 terrorists equipped with automatic weapons and hand grenades were involved in the attack and were exchanging gun fire with army troops inside the air base.
The Pakistani Taliban reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack, Xinhua said.
Earlier news reports said four foreigners were killed in the attack. They were believed to be US engineers working at the air force base. But a spokesman from the US consulate in Karachi denied the report, saying no American nationals were killed.
Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gillani condemned the attack and ordered Interior Minister Rehman Malik to watch over the situation.
Military personnel have been dispatched to the air force base and helicopters are hovering over the area, local media reports said.
The PAF Base Faisal is the site of PAF's Southern Air Command and the PAF Air War College.
PNS Mehran is the country's first Naval Air Station, situated 10 km from the Quaid-e-Azam International Airport.
The Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda have vowed to avenge the death of Osama bin Laden, who was killed in a US special forces operation in Abbottabad May 2.
They have threatened to launch attacks not only in Pakistan, but also in the US and other parts of the world.
On May 13, Pakistani Taliban suicide bombers blew themselves up near a paramilitary training centre in Charsadda, near Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, killing over 90 newly-trained personnel.