Pakistan Air Force's Mianwali Training Air Base faced a massive militant assault on Friday night, Dawn reported.
Three suspected militants were neutralised while attempting to breach the base's security, while the remaining trio of militants has been confined and isolated, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The assailants reportedly employed a ladder to breach the perimeter walls of the airbase and were equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry. During the attack, multiple aircraft parked within the confines of the Air Force base were reportedly subjected to damage.
The ISPR statement also acknowledges that some damage occurred, affecting three aircraft that were already grounded, along with a fuel bowser.
Media reports indicate that the group affiliated with the Taliban, known as Tehreek-e-Jihad, has claimed responsibility for this assault.
"On 04 November, 2023, in the early hours of the day, Mianwali Training Air Base of Pakistan Air Force came under a failed terrorist attack which, Alhumdolliah, due to the swift and effective response by the troops, has been foiled and thwarted, ensuring the safety and security of personnel and assets. Demonstrating exceptional courage and timely response, 3 x terrorists were neutralised even before they could enter the base while remaining 3 terrorists have been cornered/isolated due to timely and effective response by the troops. However, during the attack, some damage to three already grounded aircraft and a fuel bowser also occurred. A comprehensive joint clearance and combing operation is in final stages to completely clear the area. Pakistan Armed Forces remain committed to eliminating menace of terrorism from the country at all costs,” the ISPR said in a statement.
The Mianwali attack follows a string of events that resulted in the tragic loss of at least 17 soldiers in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. These incidents encompass a militant assault in Gwadar, a remote-controlled bomb detonation in Dera Ismail Khan, and a security operation conducted in KP's Lakki Marwat. Additionally, a fourth incident, involving another remote-controlled explosion in Dera Ismail Khan, claimed the lives of five individuals and left at least 24 others injured, including police personnel.
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