Pakistan: Militants attack Karachi naval air base
LONDON. May 23. KAZINFORM Gunmen have attacked a military base in the Pakistani city of Karachi, killing at least 11 soldiers, officials say; Kazinform refers to BBC News.
The attackers are now holding hostages, including Chinese military personnel, at the Mehran naval aviation base.
Eight hours after the incident began, blasts and gunfire were heard as security forces tackled the militants.
No group has claimed the raid, but the Pakistani Taliban have vowed to avenge the killing of Osama Bin Laden by US special forces on 2 May.
They have carried out several attacks since then.
Battle continues
On Sunday evening at 2230 (1730 GMT) militants stormed three hangars housing aircraft at the Mehran base, according to officials.
Interior Minister Rehman Malik said: "We have been able to confine them to one building and an operation is underway either to kill or capture them."
Their first targets were aircraft parked on the tarmac and equipment in nearby hangers, says the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan at the scene.
Eyewitnesses say the militants used rocket propelled grenades to damage and destroy several warplanes. These included the Pakistan navy's premier anti-submarine attack jet - the US made P-3C Orion; Kazinform cites BBC News.
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