Pakistan: Jihadists attack naval aviation base in Karachi

It's come to this. For jihadists to stage an open attack a military installation in a major city is a serious escalation and a direct consequence of Pakistan's double game, selectively tolerating and attempting to leverage jihadist movements against its enemies and rivals. "Militants attack Pakistan navy base, four dead," from Reuters, May 22:

(Reuters) - Militants attacked a naval aviation base in the Pakistani city of Karachi on Sunday, killing at least four people, security officials said.

Intelligence officials said between 15 and 20 attackers were inside the Mehran base, and had attacked three hangars housing aircraft.

Witnesses said they heard sounds of gunshots and could see smoke rising from the buildings.

"We have four dead and five wounded but the number could rise," a security official, who declined to be identified, told Reuters.

Senior police official Tahir Naveed said attackers were fighting with base personnel.

TV footage showed fire and a cloud of smoke.

Dunya TV said a four-engine naval aircraft was on fire.

Al Qaeda-linked Taliban militants, who have vowed to avenge the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. special forces, have carried out several attacks since his death on May 2.

On April 28, suspected militants detonated a roadside bomb in the Pakistani city of Karachi, killing four members of the navy, the third attack on the navy in a week.

The attack came two days after two bombs hit buses carrying navy personnel, killing four people and wounding 56. Taliban insurgents took responsibility for the twin attacks.

Posted by Marisol on May 22, 2011 12:20 PM|