Taliban storm ‘nuclear’ base in Pakistan

A Pakistani air force base with suspected links to the country’s nuclear programme was in flames today after being stormed by gunmen.

The militants, some with explosives strapped to their bodies, attacked the Minhas base in Kamra at about 2am with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades.

They launched a grenade barrage, scaled a 9ft wall, and fought security forces backed by elite commandos for two hours until the attack was repelled. Eight militants and one solder were killed. The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack.

Flames could be seen rising from the base. Air force spokesman Tariq Mahmood said at least one grenade pierced a hangar wall and shrapnel damaged an aircraft inside. The head of the base, Air Commodore Muhammad Azam, was wounded in the shoulder.

Kamra, about 25 miles north-west of capital Islamabad, houses fighter jets including F-16s and a factory that makes aircraft and weapons systems.

Some experts suspect it could house part of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. The armed forces deny this. Safety of the country’s nuclear arms has been a major concern for Western nations.