Lahore: Pakistan Air Force (PAF) today lost an unspecified number of soldiers and around 40 planes after 9 heavily-armed men stormed its base in Mianwali area of Punjab district, according to officials and reports.
The Mianwali Training Air Base of Pakistan’s Air Force (PAF) came under attack early in the morning, military spokesperson Inter Services Press Relations (ISPR) said in a statement.
The airbase witnessed intense exchange of fire between the soldiers and the attackers, who laid a siege of the compound for several hours.
Loud explosions could be heard coming out of the airbase, which were apparently because of the targeting of aircraft. Several planes were engulfed in fire.
According to reports, around 40 planes were destroyed or damaged in the attack.
The exchange of fire also left several soldiers dead or injured but their exact number was not available immediately.
Around 6 hours after the attack began, the ISPR issued a statement, saying the “combing and clearance operation” had been concluded and 9 terrorists were killed.
The statement, however, was silent on the casualties suffered by the forces, which is not unusual as Pakistan often hides or scales down the casualties of its armed forces.
The ISPR said “some damage was done to 3 already phased out non-operational aircraft” during the attack.
Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP) has claimed responsibility for the attack.
