Taliban attacks Pakistan Air Force base: As it happened

Peshawar: A group of heavily armed gunmen associated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) attacked a Pakistani Air Force base in the northwestern city of Peshawar early on Friday. The attackers tried to force their way into the Badaber Air Base. The security forces in Pakistan responded quickly to the attack and killed at least 13 terrorists in the ensuing operation.

Here are the live updates:-

18 September 2015

17:16 IST

Reports now claim that at least 33 people including 13 terrorists have died. 

13:24 IST

Gunmen were wearing explosives-laden jackets and armed with hand-propelled grenades, mortars, AK-47 rifles, claims Bajwa.

Thirteen terrorists were also killed by security forces, tweets Bajwa.

16 people offering prayers at a mosque inside the air force camp were killed by the militants: Bajwa

Pakistan military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa confirms death of 16 people in the deadly attack in Peshawar.

12:38 IST

Casualty figures are still not clear, however, reports claim over 20 people, including eight soldiers and two senior army officer, have sustained injuries in the attack.

Our suicidal unit carried out the attack: TTP spokesman Muhammad Khurasani said in an email statement.

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claims responsibility for Peshawar attack.

12:29 IST

At least 16 people have been killed, including 13 terrorists, in the Peshawar attack, says Army.

Capt Asfandyar embraced martyrdom while fighting valiantly and leading his troops from the front: Pak media

12:28 IST

COAS arrives, 13 terrorists have been killed, their bodies are lying in the compound: Gen Bajwa.

Terrorists entered the air force camp at two points and then split in sub groups, claims Gen Bajwa.

COS will visit Corps HQs, meet with troops participating in clearance operations and also see those wounded in the operation: Pak media.

Chief Of Armed Staff (COAS) leaves for Peshawar: Report

11:38 IST

All eight terrorists involved in the attack killed, claims Maj Gen Bajwa.

Update:Clearance ops in progress.Latest figure of terrorists killed is 8.Own 10 soldiers injured including 2 offrs. Psr Corps Comd on site-7

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 18, 2015

One more Pakistan soldier injured in the incident.

Massive search operation for terrorists possibly hiding on.

09:25 IST

Giving more updates about the attack, Maj Gen Bajwa posted a series a tweets.

Update:Total terrorist killed so far 6 now.Clearance ops still underway.Searching for hidden http://t.co/oz0HVDen8A more soldier injured-6.

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 18, 2015

Badaber Update:5 terrorists killed so far. Clearance ops in progress.Maj Haseeb of QRF injured.Recd bullet in thigh.Evacuated 2 CMH-5

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 18, 2015

Badaber Update:Psr Brigade Comd leading ops with QRFs,Army commandos,local PAF troops.Police present outside base in outer cordon-3

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 18, 2015

Badaber Update:Entire response mechanism reacted quickly.Effectively surrounded,confined Ts in small area.3 Terrorists killed so far-3

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 18, 2015

Badaber Update:As per initial info,7-10 terrorists tried to break deep in the Base.Terrorists engaged,contained around guard room area-2

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 18, 2015

09:15 IST

This is the first major attack in several weeks in Pakistan.

The exchange of gunfire between the security forces and terrorists ceased after almost 40 minutes of intense fight, say reports.

At least six attackers have been killed by the security forces killed, say reports.

09:12 IST

The attackers have been restricted to guardroom, says the ISPR

At least seven to ten terrorists tried to barge into the base, claims ISPR.

After the attack, a heavy contingent of Quick Response Force (QRF) rushed to the site to fend off the attackers.

The terrorists are believed to carrying heavy weapons to target the guardroom of the camp on Air Force Road.

08:55 IST

A gunbattle is still underway and three attackers had been killed so far, he said.

Terrorists engaged, contained around guardroom area," , Major General Asim Bajwa said on Twitter.

Badaber PAF Base: Terrorists attk guard room early morning.Quick reaction force reached,surrounded, isolated them.Fire exch continues- 1

— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) September 18, 2015

08:49 IST

The attackers tried to force their way into the Badaber Air Base.

08:47 IST

As per reports, a group of seven to 10 militants attacked a guard post in the early hours today.