Taliban militants cornered at naval base

It was unclear how many militants were killed or wounded. But between 10 and 15 attackers entered the high-security facility before splitting into smaller groups, setting off explosions and hiding in the sprawling facility, navy spokesman Irfan ul Haq said.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the assault, saying it was part of their revenge for the May 2 US raid which killed al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden.

Their ability to penetrate the facility further rattled a military establishment already humiliated by the unilateral American raid, and raised the possibility that the Taliban had inside help.

The attack resembled the 2008 siege in Mumbai, India, and a number of other high-profile militant raids in Pakistan in which heavily armed squads of insurgents go out in teams and appear willing to fight to the death.

Mr Haq said the militants were "not in possession of anything" when asked about reports of hostages. By this morning, the militants were confined to an office building, trading fire with commandos, he said. Navy helicopters were flying over the base to help the hunt.

"Because of the presence of several assets on the base, the operation is being carried out in a cautious, smart way," Mr Haq went on, referring to military aircraft. "That's why it's taking so long."

The unilateral US raid on bin Laden's compound in the north-west garrison city of Abbottabad triggered a strong backlash in Pakistan against Washington as well as rare domestic criticism of the armed forces for failing to detect or prevent the American operation. Pakistani leaders insist they had no idea the al Qaida chief had been hiding in Abbottabad.

In claiming responsibility, Pakistani Taliban spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan said the attack was part of their planned response to the death of bin Laden, and that Pakistan is the top target. The Pakistani Taliban hate the government in Islamabad because of its alliance with the US and because, under American prodding, the Pakistani army has staged offensives aimed at its insurgents.

This is the third major attack the group has claimed since bin Laden's death, including a car bombing which slightly injured American consulate workers in Peshawar and a twin-suicide attack which killed around 90 Pakistani paramilitary police recruits.

Yesterday's raid appeared to be the most serious against the military since October 2009, when militants attacked the army headquarters close to the capital, Islamabad.

They held dozens hostage in a 22-hour stand-off which left 23 people dead, including nine militants.

The fact that militants were able to enter the naval base is another embarrassing blow to the Pakistani military.

Just as the October 2009 attack on the army headquarters did, it raises speculation over whether anyone in the military ranks aided the insurgents. Many in Pakistan's military establishment are believed to have sympathy for Islamist causes.

That the militants this time targeted US-supplied aircraft draws attention to American aid to the military, something generals in Pakistan do not talk about, fearing criticism from the county's fiercely anti-American population.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani condemned the attack, saying such a "cowardly act of terror could not deter the commitment of the government and people of Pakistan to fight terrorism".

The raid began with at least three loud explosions, which were heard by people who live around the naval air station. It was unclear what caused the explosions, but they set off raging fires which could be seen from far in the distance.

A reporting team outside the base heard at least six other explosions and sporadic gunfire.

Authorities sent in several dozen navy and police commandos to battle the attackers, who responded with gunfire and grenades, said Salman Ali, another navy spokesman. At least two P-3C Orions, maritime surveillance aircraft given to Pakistan by the US, were destroyed, he said.

The United States handed over two Orions to the Pakistani navy at a ceremony at the base in June 2010 attended by 250 Pakistani and American officials, according to the website of the US Central Command. It said that, by late 2012, Pakistan would have eight of the planes.

At least one media report said a team of American technicians were working on the aircraft at the time of the strike, but US Embassy spokesman Alberto Rodriguez said no Americans were on the base. Mr Ali also stated there were no foreigners inside the base.

Karachi, a city of around 18 million people, has not been spared the violence sweeping the country, despite being in the south, far from the north-west where militancy is at its strongest. In April, militants bombed three buses taking navy employees to work, killing at least nine people.

The Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups have little direct public support, but the army and the government have struggled to convince the people of the need for armed operations against them.

The militants' identification with Islam, strong anti-American rhetoric and support for insurgents in Afghanistan resonates with some in the country.