A Taliban attack on a Pakistani military base on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Peshawar killed 29 people Friday, including 16 worshippers who were gunned down when the militants stormed a mosque inside the compound during prayers.
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About seven to 10 militants attacked a guard room of the Badaber air base and tried to storm in but the attempt was foiled by soldiers who launched a counter-attack, army spokesman Maj.
Terrorists entered the camp at two points, splitting into sub-groups, sparking a fierce gunbattle with security forces, Bajwa said.
Meanwhile, the FIA has said that it will prepare a report on the attack as a 3-member team has visited the air base and collected some evidences along with some recorded statements.
The total number of gunmen involved is unclear, but Gen Bajwa said his forces were hunting for the remaining attackers.
The attacks were foiled by security forces that resulted in 12 militant deaths, while 12 people including 11 security personnel and one terrorist were injured.
Militant groups, including the Taliban, have repeatedly targeted military facilities in the restive city of Peshawar and its surrounding areas over the past few years, killing dozens of security personnel. That attack came on the heels of the group’s assault on an army run school in Peshawar in December, which killed about 150 students and teachers.
He said that 29 people were also wounded when up to 14 militants attacked the air force base entrance with rocket launchers, hand grenades and gunfire.
The video also lists the name of all the attackers though their faces are blanked out throughout.
Neighbours who excavated the bodies had told him three young girls, three men and two women died in the strike, he added.
The PM said the armed forces of the county have the full support from the entire nation and that networks of terrorists would soon be eliminated from Pakistan.
Pakistani TV footage showed army helicopters hovering near the base, as police and troops surrounded the area.
The premier said he was being updated on the ongoing operation against terrorists. He said all the terrorists present in the camp have been killed.
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Within hours of the attack, army chief General Raheel Sharif arrived in Peshawar and held a meeting with Corps Commander Lt General Hidyatur Rehman at the corps headquarters. “The attack was planned and controlled in Afghanistan and the attackers were in constant contact with their handlers in Afghanistan”, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director-General (DG) Asim Bajwa told the media during a news briefing later in the day.
