Minimal damage to Kamra air base, death of militants proof of Pak preparedness: Defence Minister

Islamabad, Aug 17 (ANI): Hours after the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) base in Kamra was attacked, the country's Defence Minister, Naveed Qamar, said the death of militants and the minimal damage caused to the base was clear proof of the preparedness of the security forces.

The attack by militants on the PAF airbase and operation by security forces lasted for over four hours in which at least eight militants and one security official were killed. The base was attacked early on Thursday morning.

"The security of the air force was alert to retaliate in case of a possible attack and they did. We challenged the militants on different parameters, in which one of our soldiers who was posted at the security tower was martyred," The Express Tribune quoted Qamar, as saying.

"They had suicide vests clasped around them and were carrying heavy weaponry. They had attacked the base with an intention of having a do or die battle. However, with minimum damage caused to the base - with only one plane destroyed - the security forces were able to eliminate the terrorists," he added.

The base is home to the Pakistan Aeronautical Complex that assembles Mirage and, with Chinese support, JF-17 fighter jets. It has previously come under attack twice, once in 2007 and then in 2009.

Commenting on the security steps taken after the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had threatened to attack military bases, Qamar said: "Everyone did what they were supposed to do. The security forces challenged the militants and eliminated them. These are actually what you call security steps." (ANI)