Taliban attacks air force base in Pakistan, 6 militants killed

A gunbattle was still underway, says Major General Asim Baja.

September 18, 2015 08:23 am | Updated November 17, 2021 02:02 am IST - Peshawar

Emergency workers take an injured man to a hospital after an attack on an air force base in Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday.

Emergency workers take an injured man to a hospital after an attack on an air force base in Peshawar, Pakistan on Friday.

Taliban militants attacked an air force base in this northwestern city of Pakistan today, sparking a gunbattle with the security forces that left six terrorists dead.

Up to 10 gunmen attacked a guard post and entered the Badaber air base in outskirts of the city, military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said on Twitter.

Bajwa said terrorists attacked the guard room at the camp early in the morning.

“Terrorists attk guard room early morning. Quick reaction force reached, surrounded, isolated them,” he tweeted.

Six militants have been killed in an exchange of fire with security forces. At least 20 people, including a senior officer of Quick Response Force, were injured in the attack.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack.

“Our suicidal unit carried out the attack,” TTP spokesman Muhammad Khurasani said in an email statement.

Bajwa said security forces reached the area shortly after and sealed it off but a gun battle is still under way. Army is conducting aerial surveillance of the area to nab the militants.

Peshawar has frequently been targeted by militants. Last December more than 150 people, mostly children were killed when Taliban gunmen attacked an army-run school.

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