Pakistan Taliban attacked Balochistan airbases

Islamabad: A faction of the outlawed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Friday claimed responsibility for an attack on airbases in volatile Balochistan province in which 10 militants were killed by security forces, a leading Pakistani daily reported.

The Ghalib Mehsud faction of the TTP has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Samungli and Khalid airbases in the provincial capital Quetta, Dawn online said in a report.

Ghalib Mehsud is the leader of the suicide wing of the TTP.

A group of terrorists tried to sneak into the airbases in southwest Pakistan but security forces foiled the attempt. One injured militant has been arrested.

Balochistan police chief Muhammad Umlaish said 11 security personnel were also injured during the operation that lasted for more than four hours.

"All entry and exit points leading to the airport and airbases are being strictly guarded," Umlaish said.

"All dead terrorists seem to be Uzbeks," Balochistan Home Minister Sarfaraz Bugti said.

More than 20 explosions were heard during the operation, police said, adding that the blasts were followed by intense firing.

The attacks come close on the heels of brazen Taliban terror attack on Karachi's Jinnah International Airport June 8.

The incident led to Pakistan launching the Zarb-i-Azb military operation June 15 in North Waziristan tribal region in which over 700 militants have been killed so far.

After the Karachi incident, security was beefed up at all airports and airbases across the country.