At least four people, including two Navy personnel, have been killed after gunmen attacked a high-security military base in Pakistan.
The militants stormed the Mehran naval air base in the southern city of Karachi, starting fires and setting off explosions.
It triggered gunbattles with commandos inside one of the country's most heavily guarded military installations.
Around 15 to 20 attackers were said to be inside the facility, and they had also attacked three hangars housing aircraft.
At least one patrol aircraft had been destroyed, it was reported.
A government official claimed the assault was carried out by terrorists.
"They were equipped with sophisticated weapons," navy spokesman Commodore Irfan ul-Haq said.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the militants had attacked from the rear of the base.
"We have been able to confine them to one building and an operation is under way either to kill or capture them."
Journalist Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, in Karachi, told Sky News: "From where I was I could hear a lot of firing and then several explosions.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Pakistan-Karachi-Naval-Aviation-Base-Stormed-By-Gunmen-Four-People-Killed-In-Attack/Article/201105415997259?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15997259_Pakistan%3A_Karachi_Naval_Aviation_Base_Stormed_By_Gunmen%2C_Four_People_Killed_In_Attack
The militants stormed the Mehran naval air base in the southern city of Karachi, starting fires and setting off explosions.
It triggered gunbattles with commandos inside one of the country's most heavily guarded military installations.
Around 15 to 20 attackers were said to be inside the facility, and they had also attacked three hangars housing aircraft.
At least one patrol aircraft had been destroyed, it was reported.
A government official claimed the assault was carried out by terrorists.
"They were equipped with sophisticated weapons," navy spokesman Commodore Irfan ul-Haq said.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the militants had attacked from the rear of the base.
"We have been able to confine them to one building and an operation is under way either to kill or capture them."
Journalist Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, in Karachi, told Sky News: "From where I was I could hear a lot of firing and then several explosions.
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Pakistan-Karachi-Naval-Aviation-Base-Stormed-By-Gunmen-Four-People-Killed-In-Attack/Article/201105415997259?lpos=World_News_Carousel_Region_0&lid=ARTICLE_15997259_Pakistan%3A_Karachi_Naval_Aviation_Base_Stormed_By_Gunmen%2C_Four_People_Killed_In_Attack
