Gunmen Attack Pakistan Air Force Base in Peshawar

Local Editor

Militants had killed at least 16 worshippers at a mosque inside an air force base in Peshawar, officials said.

The gunmen stormed a guard post and then entered the Badaber air base and attacked a mosque at the site, Major General Asim Bajwa said.

He said security forces killed 13 militants and were searching for the remaining gunmen.

The Pakistani Taliban said they ordered the attack. Peshawar has frequently been targeted by militants.

Last December, more than 150 students and teachers were killed when Taliban gunmen attacked an army-run school in the city.

Gen Bajwa said a rapid response force engaged the attackers on Friday morning and contained them around a guard room.

"Clearance operations" were in progress to secure the site, he added.

An unnamed military official indicated that the militants had "explosives-laden jackets and were armed with hand-propelled grenades, mortars, AK-47 rifles".

Furthermore, reports say about 20 people, including 10 soldiers, were also injured in the exchange of fire.

In an email, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Muhammad Khurasani said a "suicidal unit" had carried out the attack.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the attack, saying: "Terrorists will be rooted out from the country."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team