Terrorists storm air base in Pak,4 dead

Terror: 12-15 of them still inside the base at Karachi,foreigner reported to be among the killed

Terrorists attacked a Pakistan military air base in Karachi tonight,triggering multiple blasts and firing indiscriminately,leaving four people dead. Till late in the night,terrorists numbering between 12 and 15 were holed up inside.

Geo News channel said that a four-engine aircraft,possibly P-3C Orion recently given to Pakistan by the US,was destroyed.

Pakistan Air Forces Faisal airbase also houses the PNS Mehran,the naval air station,while the high-security area includes the Southern Air Command,Air War College and museum.

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Interior Minister Rehman Malik confirmed it was a terror attack one of the most daring in the country in recent times and that the terrorists were still at the base.

A Pakistan Navy spokesman said four people were killed in the attack on PNS Mehran,where some Chinese engineers were engaged in work. TV channels reported the dead included a foreigner. Geo television reported another foreigner as being among the injured.

US Embassy spokesperson Alberto Rodriguez said no Americans were on the base at the time.

The attack started at about 10.40 pm. At least four explosions reportedly shook the base,their nature not yet known.

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No group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Condemning the same,Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said it would not deter Pakistan in fighting terrorism.