2nd LD Writethru: 6 Pakistani Taliban militants killed in attack on air base

At least six members of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were killed and two security personnel wounded in an attack on an air base of Pakistan Air Force near the country's northwestern provincial capital of Peshawar early Friday, a military spokesman said.

Pakistan Army spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said initial information suggested that seven to 10 militants stormed the base at the town of Badabher, some 6 km south of Peshawar near the Khyber tribal region.

An army officer of Major rank and another security personnel were injured during the operation and were shifted to the Combined Military Hospital for treatment.

"Terrorists were engaged and contained around guard room area," the spokesman said on his official Twitter.

The assailants came from the back side of the air base and attacked the guard room at around 6 a.m. in the morning (0100 GMT).

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for the attack, local media reported.

"The TTP accepts the responsibility," Muhammad Khorasani said in a statement, adding that the TTP's suicide unit had carried out the attack.

The Pakistan Army said the entire response mechanism reacted quickly. "Quick reaction force reached, surrounded and isolated them," military spokesman Bajwa said.

Militants armed with automatic guns fired rockets and hurled hand grenades at the security personnel.

A red alert has been issued for all bases of Pakistan Air Force in the country's northwestern region, the official said.

"Search for hidden terrorists is underway," the spokesman said. Endi