2014 Quetta Airbase attack

2014 Quetta Airbase attack
Part of series of insurgent attacks in Pakistan
Date15 August 2014
LocationSamungli Airbase
Khalid Airbase
Quetta, Baluchistan, Pakistan
Result

Attack foiled

  • Militants Killed or Captured.
Belligerents

 Pakistan

TTP

  • Ghalib Mehsud faction
  • Fidayeen Islam
Casualties and losses
Killed in Action:
None
Wounded in Action:
11
Killed in Action:
12 militants
Wounded in Action
1 militant
Caught:
1 militant.
Quetta
Location within Pakistan

On 15 August 2014, 13 reported militants tried to storm two Pakistan Air Force bases; Samungli Airbase and Khalid Airbase in Southwest city of Quetta, Baluchistan. The attack was foiled by security officials that resulted in 12 militant deaths, while 12 people were injured including one attacker and 11 security officials. [1][2]

Background

PAF Base Samungli is a Pakistan Air Force (PAF) airbase located near Quetta Airport, in the Balochistan province of Pakistan. No. 17 Squadron and No. 23 Squadron of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) are based in PAF Base Samungli which is used as a main operating base since the 1970s. The base has been used by the United States for military logistical operations in support of the 2001 war in Afghanistan.[3][4] Khalid Airbase is another Airforce base located some 12 kilometres away from PAF Base Samungli, managed by Pakistan Air Force (PAF). [5]

Attack

The attack began in the early hours of 15 August 2014, when militants armed with automatic weapons, grenades and RPGs tried to storm the PAF Base Samungli and Khalid Airbase separately. According to a spokesman of Pakistan Air Force (PAF), security forces engaged the terrorists, who were trying to enter the airbase. Heavy contingent of Police and Security personnel were called after an intense gunfight erupted between the terrorists and the security personnel, bomb blast were also heard. Huge quantities of ammunition was recovered from both the bases. Commander Southern Command, Lt. General Nasir Khan Janjua said that six dead bodies were found in Khalid Air base and six were found in Samungli airbase. One injured militant was captured and shifted for medical treatment and interrogation. 11 Security personnel were injured and later shifted for medical treatment, the Inter-Services Public Relations in a statement said that the Samungli and Khalid airbases in Quetta have been cleared. [6][7][5]

Responsibility

Ghalib Mehsud, Militant commander of Fidayeen Islam wing of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan claimed the responsibly of the attack and said there will be more attacks in coming days. [8]

See also

References

  1. "TTP faction claims responsibility for attack on airbases in Quetta - Pakistan". Dawn.Com. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
  2. Yousufzai, Gul. "Pakistan's Quetta airport hit by deadly bomb and gun attack". Reuters. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
  3. "PAKISTAN AIR FORCE - Official website". Paf.gov.pk. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
  4. "CIA drones quit one Pakistan site – but US keeps access to other airbases | The Bureau of Investigative Journalism". Thebureauinvestigates.com. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
  5. 1 2 Desk, Web (2011-02-23). "Attacks on Quetta airbases leave 12 militants killed, 11 officials injured – The Express Tribune". Tribune.com.pk. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
  6. Salman Masood (15 August 2014). "Militants Attack 2 Air Bases in Western Pakistan". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 August 2014.
  7. "Terror plot at Quetta's Samungli, Khalid Airbases foiled | ARY NEWS". Arynews.tv. 1945-08-06. Retrieved 2014-08-15.
  8. Yousufzai, Gul. "Ten dead in attacks on air force bases in Pakistan's Quetta". Reuters. Retrieved 2014-08-15.

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