Gunmen storm Pakistan's naval aviation base

KARACHI (Reuters) – A group of militants were holed up inside Pakistan's naval aviation base on Monday, six hours after they stormed the installation with guns and grenades, killing at least five people and blowing up a military aircraft.

Nine explosions were reported from the PNS Mehran base in the southern city of Karachi after the late-night assault by up to 15 gunmen, who targeted three hangars housing aircraft.

"They were carrying guns, rocket-propelled grenades (RPG) and hand grenades. They hit the aircraft with an RPG," said Navy spokesman Commander Salman Ali. "They are still inside the base."

Eleven people were wounded in the attack on one of the country's most heavily guarded military installations, where jet fuel tanks appeared to have caught fire and exploded.

It was not immediately clear who was behind the raid. But Taliban militants, who have vowed to avenge the killing of Osama bin Laden by U.S. special forces, have carried out several attacks since the al Qaeda leaders' death on May 2.

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