More than 10 militants late Sunday attacked one of Pakistan’s main military bases, used by the navy and air force in Karachi.
Seven explosions and gunfire were heard inside the PAF Museum on Shahrah-e-Faisal Road in Karachi. Towering flames arose from inside the PNS Mehran compound. Eight to 15 terrorists entered the compound suggest initial reports.
12:18am
Sources say that the initial target of the terrorists was the P3C Orion plane. The plane has reportedly been destroyed.
“This plane acts as the eyes and ears of the Pakistan Navy” says security analyst, Ikram Sehgal.
AFP updates — “It’s a terrorist attack. More than 10 terrorists are inside. They have attacked a navy air station located in a Pakistan Air Force base,” said provincial home ministry official Sharfuddin Memon.
“One of the four aircraft inside the premises has been damaged,” he added.
12:09am
American teams were working on the plane which came under attack.
P3C Orion is the name of the plane. It is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft.
Twitter response:
Ahmed Jung reporting for Express 24/7 a hunt for terrorists is on going inside the base. Fire fighters have managed to get the fire under control.
A specific plane inside the base may have been a target.
11:55pm
At least four members of the PAF have been reportedly killed in the attack, says Ahmed Jung from Express 24/7. The Interior Ministry reported this casualty figure to the Chief Minister house.
However, no emergency vehicles have gone into the base.
Emergency has been announced in all Karachi hospitals.
11:50pm
CCTV cameras are monitoring the situation inside — it is confirmed that terrorists are inside and they have targeted PNS Mehran and PNS Faisal, says Faraz Khan reporting for The Express Tribune.
Four to five spots have been targeted within.
It is also possible a hangar and a navy depot has been targeted.
ISPR’s Major General Athar Abbas has confirmed there is an attack ongoing inside.
For previous attacks on Pakistan Navy within Karachi click here andhere.
Twitter response:
Media and emergency services have not been allowed to enter the base so far. Only fire brigades have been let in.
Earlier this month in Karachi, the Navy had come under attack, with multiple bombs targeting buses.
11: 34pm
Rangers, wing commander’s vehicle and up to five other cars have have gone inside the burning base.
The attack is specifically targetting PNS Mehran, confirms Faraz Khan reporting for Tribune.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has confirmed that this is a terrorist attack.
Twitter response:
Pakistan Navy is trying to put out the fire inside the base. Interior Minister Rehman Malik has confirmed that this is a terrorist attack.
11:26pm
Sporadic fire is continuing at the PAF base says Ahmed Jung reporting for Express 24/7.
The first fire rescue team has reached the spot.
Twitter response:
Terrorists entered the base and there is an encounter on going report eye witnesses in the area say.
The Express Tribune correspondent Faraz Khan reports that hand grenades are likely being used according to the sounds from within the base.
There are reports of upto 6-12 terrorists inside the compound. Media standing about 2 kilometres from the blast site.
11:15pm
Reports are coming in that this is a coordinated attack. Security forces are allowing no one inside or out of the base.
Army housing and the PAF museum are also located within the compound.
11:12pm
Four major explosions have been heard so far, along with gunfire. It is as yet unclear whether there is a gun battle going on inside the air base.
Ahmed Jung reporting for Express 24/7 says Rangers, and police officials are on the spot at the PAF base.
11:10pm
According to initial reports a hand grenade was used in the attack and an attacker has been killed.
The force of the blast has shattered surrounding buildings.
Heavy gunfire was also reported after the explosion. An eyewitness said that the blast took place near the gate of Faisal Base.
Police, rangers and rescue had reached the site of the blast.
Seven explosions and gunfire were heard inside the PAF Museum on Shahrah-e-Faisal Road in Karachi. Towering flames arose from inside the PNS Mehran compound. Eight to 15 terrorists entered the compound suggest initial reports.
12:18am
Sources say that the initial target of the terrorists was the P3C Orion plane. The plane has reportedly been destroyed.
“This plane acts as the eyes and ears of the Pakistan Navy” says security analyst, Ikram Sehgal.
AFP updates — “It’s a terrorist attack. More than 10 terrorists are inside. They have attacked a navy air station located in a Pakistan Air Force base,” said provincial home ministry official Sharfuddin Memon.
“One of the four aircraft inside the premises has been damaged,” he added.
12:09am
American teams were working on the plane which came under attack.
P3C Orion is the name of the plane. It is a four-engine turboprop anti-submarine and maritime surveillance aircraft.
Twitter response:
beenasarwar @thekarachikid Easy to blame govt, when it’s the security establishment that needs to change paradigm, & strategy.12:05am
sharmeenochinoy Just spoke 2 ppl on sharae Faisal still blocked- ppl being advised to go thru alternate routes #karachiattacks
Razarumi Vulnerabilities of Pakistani security agencies being exploited by terrorists. What a shame! #Pakistanv@ShabbirShah
Ahmed Jung reporting for Express 24/7 a hunt for terrorists is on going inside the base. Fire fighters have managed to get the fire under control.
A specific plane inside the base may have been a target.
11:55pm
At least four members of the PAF have been reportedly killed in the attack, says Ahmed Jung from Express 24/7. The Interior Ministry reported this casualty figure to the Chief Minister house.
However, no emergency vehicles have gone into the base.
Emergency has been announced in all Karachi hospitals.
11:50pm
CCTV cameras are monitoring the situation inside — it is confirmed that terrorists are inside and they have targeted PNS Mehran and PNS Faisal, says Faraz Khan reporting for The Express Tribune.
Four to five spots have been targeted within.
It is also possible a hangar and a navy depot has been targeted.
ISPR’s Major General Athar Abbas has confirmed there is an attack ongoing inside.
For previous attacks on Pakistan Navy within Karachi click here andhere.
Twitter response:
mosharrafzaidi RT @javeednusrat: dependable source insists attack started w rocket fires & not bombs. has all the appearances of a well-drilled out attack.11:45pm
beenasarwar #CPLC sources @Rezhasan: Samaa News channel: 4 security personnel killed in attack on airbase
faizanlakhani @tammyhaq third attack on Pakistan Navy in one month
Media and emergency services have not been allowed to enter the base so far. Only fire brigades have been let in.
Earlier this month in Karachi, the Navy had come under attack, with multiple bombs targeting buses.
11: 34pm
Rangers, wing commander’s vehicle and up to five other cars have have gone inside the burning base.
The attack is specifically targetting PNS Mehran, confirms Faraz Khan reporting for Tribune.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik has confirmed that this is a terrorist attack.
Twitter response:
thekarachikid There’s a 9/11, 26/11 and 7/7. Then there’s everyday in Pakistan.11:30pm
ammaryasir 5 injured includes one foreigner, probably a Chinese.
faizanlakhani complete blackout in base Faisal and Mehran
Pakistan Navy is trying to put out the fire inside the base. Interior Minister Rehman Malik has confirmed that this is a terrorist attack.
11:26pm
Sporadic fire is continuing at the PAF base says Ahmed Jung reporting for Express 24/7.
The first fire rescue team has reached the spot.
sharmeenochinoy This naval aviation base v sensitive area- how can terrorists enter this area- serious lapse of security #karachi11:20pm
faisalkapadia People of #karachi we are under attack we must “unite” and not panic! Please stay calm we are togather in this. #mehran
AtikaRehman 4 dead, others injured according to Dunya TV #Karachi PAF explosion
Terrorists entered the base and there is an encounter on going report eye witnesses in the area say.
The Express Tribune correspondent Faraz Khan reports that hand grenades are likely being used according to the sounds from within the base.
There are reports of upto 6-12 terrorists inside the compound. Media standing about 2 kilometres from the blast site.
11:15pm
Reports are coming in that this is a coordinated attack. Security forces are allowing no one inside or out of the base.
Army housing and the PAF museum are also located within the compound.
11:12pm
Four major explosions have been heard so far, along with gunfire. It is as yet unclear whether there is a gun battle going on inside the air base.
Ahmed Jung reporting for Express 24/7 says Rangers, and police officials are on the spot at the PAF base.
11:10pm
According to initial reports a hand grenade was used in the attack and an attacker has been killed.
The force of the blast has shattered surrounding buildings.
Heavy gunfire was also reported after the explosion. An eyewitness said that the blast took place near the gate of Faisal Base.
Police, rangers and rescue had reached the site of the blast.
