- Two groups of six Uzbek terrorists each attempted to storm Samungli Air base and Khalid Air Base in Quetta, three terrorists said to be taken alive
- Two Taliban factions claim responsibility for attacks, say it was in retaliation of Operation Zarb-e-Azb in NWA
- Seven army soldiers, two police personnel, an ATF soldier and an FC official injured in fierce overnight clashes with intruders
Security forces early on Friday were able to kill 12 Uzbek terrorists who attempted to storm the Samungli Air Base used by Pakistan Air Force and Khalid Air Base used by Pakistan Army, but had failed to penetrate either perimetre. Three suspected terrorists were also taken into custody by the security personnel, according to an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.
The terrorists were armed with automatic weapons, grenades and were wearing suicide vests, it added.
Security heads in Balochistan said that the modus operandi was the same as that of the Karachi airport attack, Miran Airbase and Peshawar terror attacks. The gunfight started at 8pm on Thursday and the areas were cleared by 7am on Friday.
Two different factions of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attacks, and said they were a response to the military’s ongoing assault on militant hideouts in North Waziristan tribal area.
The Fidaeen-i-Islam group initially claimed responsibility in a phone call to a foreign news agency from commander Ghalib Mehsud.
“The attacks were in revenge to military operation launched against us in North Waziristan,” Mehsud said. “We will launch more and bigger attacks on government and military installations.”
Later Azam Tariq, chief of TTP’s South Waziristan chapter and a former chief spokesman for the umbrella group, also claimed responsibility.
Contrary to the ISPR’s claim, Lieutenant General Naseer Janjua, the top army commander in Balochistan, told reporters that 12 attackers were killed.
Reporters were shown nine corpses and pieces of three bodies of attackers along with the weapons and explosives recovered during the search operation after the attackers were killed or blew themselves up.
At least 11 security personnel were wounded, Janjua said.
Janjua told reporters at Khalid airbase that the terrorists were kept outside the outer wall of the airbase.
“They were in two groups. Six militants attacked Samungli airbase and another six Khalid airbase,” he added.
He allowed media to see the rocket launchers, rocket propelled grenades, automatic weapons, hand grenades and suicide vests. The barbed wires were cut by militants who tried to penetrate the bases.
“Army and government received information about possible attacks on the airbases before they were carried out. All the assets are, however, safe,” Janjua stated.
The injured include seven army soldiers, two police personnel, an ATF soldier and an FC official.
“There was intense firing followed with huge explosions til morning,” said Masoom Ali, a resident of Killi Khezi said.
The bases are located in highly guarded areas with huge deployment of army personnel, security forces as well as police personnel where civilians and media are not allowed.
“It is good that terrorists could not succeed in damaging valuable national assets,” Janjua said, who monitored the operation, adding that all the attackers were killed.
“Police, Balochistan Levies, FC, Balochistan Constabulary and Pakistan Army showed classic example of coordination during the operation,” Janjua told the reporters. He urged the people to cooperate with security forces in this critical situation of the country.
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch, who was also present at the Khalid airbase, said attacks were expected and therefore security forces were prepared.
“I have never heard such continuous and intense firing during the last two years in Quetta,” said the provincial chief minister, quoting an army officer.
Baloch announced Rs 2 million each for the injured security personnel. “We should appreciate the security forces who manage to foil the attacks,” he told reporters.
Balochistan Police chief Mohammed Amlish told reporters that the attacks could have resulted in loss of life and great damage to national assets, if the security forces had not responded quickly.
“Security was already put on high alert,” he added.
Lt General Janjua said the people of Balochistan are cooperating with the security forces which is commendable. “It is first time that security forces were informed by local people,” he stated.
Responding to question, he remarked that it could be a reaction of the military operation in North Waziristan. “The incident is being investigated and we are in contact with the army chief,” he said.
A senior military official had earlier said that rockets were fired at Samungli airbase, with two landing inside the perimeter fence. He had added that no damage was caused.
