The attack on Pakistan’s Air Force base in Mianwali area on Saturday was carried out by Tehreek-e-Jihad Pakistan (TJP) commander Abdul Ajiz. According to local sources, the group of TJP fighters had done “proper homework” before the attack.
They used RPG7 and sticky bombs to destroy the three already grounded aircraft and a fuel bowser, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement said on Saturday. It also said three terrorists were neutralised, even before they could enter the base while the remaining three have been “isolated”.
TJP later released a 5-minute video to refute the claims of ISPR where they said attackers were eliminated before they could do major damage. The attackers also targeted the oil depot and destroyed radar systems.
In this video, a TJP attacker claimed that almost 35 aircraft were damaged in the attack. TJP also released photos and names of its seven members who carried out the attack.
The photos confirm that the militants were wearing military fatigues. The pictures also suggest they were also likely in possession of night vision equipment.
According to sources close to Pakistan security establishment, due to Baloch and Pashtun movement all intelligence inputs from these areas specially from Afghanistan and Iran is minimum.
The TJP is a newly emerged military group that is an affiliate of the homegrown Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) movement claimed responsibility of the attack in media, according to Reuters.
“Any attempt to undermine our security will meet with unwavering resistance. The nation stands with you and we salute your courage and resolve,” said Caretaker PM Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.
The attack comes a day at least 17 soldiers were killed in different incidents in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. On Friday, a bomb and a gun attack on a vehicle carrying police killed three people and wounded more than 20.
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