Karachi: Announcing end of 16 hours siege of PNS Mehran base in
Karachi, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said that three attackers were
killed, 2 fled while 10 security personnel martyred and 15 others
injured.
"I have seen the bodies of three dead terrorists, one
is suspected to be hiding in the building while two are said to have
fled during the initial encounter with security forces," Malik said
while briefing the media about the 16 hours long operation
Malik said the terror attack had been put down "successfully" and attackers had killed 10 security personnel and firemen.
He
said bodies of three terrorists had been recovered. The head of another
terrorist, presumed to be a suicide bomber, was found. Fifteen people
were injured in the mayhem that began at 10.30 p.m. Sunday.
Malik
informed that the 5 terrorist entered the base from eastern Maleer
stream by cutting fence and attacked the aircrafts positioned at runway
with rocket launchers.
The attackers targeted P-3C Orion
aircraft, two of which were destroyed. But acting quickly, Pakistan
Rangers towed away some other Orion aircraft, he said.
Malik added: "Taliban is an enemy of Pakistan."
Malik
told Rangers personnel and Navy commandos participated in the first
phase of the operation and restricted terrorists to a particular area
of the base.
He said all terrorists were killed no other could
be arrested. He said 5 terrorists were of fair complexion sporting
small beard and were wearing black shorts and trousers.
Interior
minister told the media 8 navy personnel and 2 Rangers were among who
martyred in the operation while all 17 foreigners were rescued.
He
said 11 Chinese and 6 American staff were present at base at the time
attack but no one sustained injuries or had been made hostage. He said
Lt. Yasir laid down his life to protect aircrafts and other strategic
assets. Malik informed that the plotting of this attack was planned in
Waziristan agency and Al-Qaeda and Taliban were behind this attack as a
revenge of killing of Bin Laden.
Calling it a "pre-planned"
operation at one of Pakistan’s biggest military bases, Malik said a
high alert had been issued across the country after fears of more
attacks from Islamists angered by Osama bin Laden’s killing.
He
said that many evidences have been collected and further probe would be
made into this attack. Malik said that high alert has been placed on
all strategic installments across the country.
Praising the
soldiers who laid down their lives, Malik said that courage and bravery
showed the world that Pakistan nation would not be surrendered and
continue the fight against this menace of terrorism.
He said
foreigner hand could not be ruled out in this attack and external
elements were handling these terrorists. He appealed to the nation and
the media to come forward and join the government and security forces
in the war against terrorism. Online
