Pakistani commandos regained control of a naval base today from a team of Taliban militants who attacked then occupied the high-security facility for 18 hours — an exceptionally audacious act of insurgent violence that dealt a humiliating blow to the military. The attackers — who may have numbered no more than six — destroyed at least two U.S.-supplied surveillance planes and killed 12 security officers. At least four of the attackers were killed.
The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault in the city of Karachi. The militants said it was revenge for the May 2 American raid that killed al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden and the insurgents were under orders to fight until the death. "They do not want to come out alive, they have gone there to embrace martyrdom," said spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan. Between four to six insurgents armed with grenades, rockets and automatic weapons stormed Naval Station Mehran under cover of darkness late Sunday, using ladders to get into the facility, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said. Once inside, they scattered around the compound, setting off explosions and hiding in the sprawling facility.
During the day Monday, the militants were holed up in an office building in a gunbattle with commandos, navy spokesman Irfan ul Haq said. Navy helicopters flew over the base, and snipers were seen on a runway control tower. By the afternoon, Haq said the militants had been defeated. "Thanks be to God, the base is cleared and the operation is over," he said. Commandos leaving the complex flashed victory signs to reporters. At least 11 navy personnel and one paramilitary ranger were killed, while 14 security forces were wounded, said Haq. Malik said four militants were killed, but that two possibly escaped.