Six killed in terrorist attack in Pakistan airbase

Islamabad, Aug 15: At least six terrorists were killed in an attack at an airbase in the Pakistan's volatile Balochistan province Thursday.

A group of terrorists tried to sneak into the Pakistan Air Force's Samungli Airbase in Quetta in southwest Pakistan but security personnel foiled the attempt, Dawn online reported Friday.

Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti confirmed that armed terrorists opened fire, hurled grenades and fired rockets at Quetta's Samungli Air Base.

Bugti said the forces quickly retaliated and killed six terrorists whereas 13 security personnel were injured in the attack.

The terrorists also wanted to target Khalid Air Base located in Quetta cantonment, he said.

Imran Qureshi, the Superintendent of Police told Dawn online that seven loud explosions were also heard near Samungli Air Base.

"The explosions were followed by intense firing," Qureshi said.

The injured policemen and Airport Security Force personnel were rushed to a military hospital in Quetta for medical treatment.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

The attack comes close on heels of brazen Taliban terror attack on Karachi's Jinnah International Airport June 8.

The incident led to Pakistan launching military operation named Zarb-i-Azb June 15 in North Waziristan tribal region that has killed over 700 militants so far.

After the Karachi incident, security was beefed up at all airports and airbases around the country.

IANS