Four dead in PNS Mehran attack: news agency

KARACHI: Four people were killed in an armed attack Sunday by terrorists on PNS Mehran, a heavily guarded base of Pakistan Navy, located along Sharea Faisal, according to a foreign news agency.

TV images showed flames rising in the air from PNS Mehran where, according to sources, terrorists blew up a US made P-3C Orion plane of Pakistan Navy standing at the hangar.

Naval commandoes, marines, rangers and police made their way inside the Naval base to neutralize the threat.

Five people, including a foreigner, who were injured inside PNS Mehran were shifted to a local hospital.

Electricity has suspended in the entire area which has been cordoned off and where a search operation is underway.

According to military and intelligence officials, about 10-12 terrorists laced with hand grenades and sophisticated weapons entered PNS Mehran through PAF Musuem.

Sources said the commandoes have surrounded the assailants.

The attack has occurred at a facility of Pakistan Navy which is situated in a high security zone of the city and where no common citizen is allowed to enter.

The terrorists executed five explosions in PNS Mehran which led to an armed encounter.

Fire tenders of Pakistan Navy, local fire brigade and City District Government have managed to put out the fire.

The powerful blasts were heard in areas such as Dalmia and shook the buildings along Rashid Minhar Road and Sharea Faisal.

Presence of heavy contingents of rangers and police can be witnessed around PNS Mehran while emergency has been declared in the public hospitals

Earlier, four blasts were reported from the area near PAF base Faisal.

Ambulances and fire tenders were seen rushing toward the base following the powerful blasts that were heard across a wide radius.

Gunshots fired from sophisticated weapons were also heard following the blasts.

It is pertinent to mention here that in the previous weeks three buses of Pakistan Navy had been attacked by terrorists in the metropolitan city of Karachi.