Six militants dead, Pakistan airbases under attack

QUETTA, Pakistan - Police battled gunmen armed with automatic weapons, grenades and wearing suicide vests in southwest Pakistan early Friday, after thwarting two separate attacks on military airbases, killing six of the attackers.

Officials said Samungli airbase, which is used by the Pakistan Air Force, and Khaild military airbase were the targets of the attack, and said fighting was ongoing nearby.

The military airbases are some 12 kilometres (seven miles) apart in Quetta, the capital of insurgency-hit Baluchistan province.

"Exchange of fire is going on near both the airbases, six terrorists have so far been killed," Sarfaraz Bugti, provincial home minister told AFP.

"The target of the attacks were both the airbases but police and security forces thwarted the attacks," Bugti added.

Mohammad Amlish, provincial police chief told AFP seven security personnel including four police, and three soldiers have been wounded in the gunbattle.

A senior military official said rockets were fired at Samungli airbase, with two landing inside the perimeter fence. He said no damage was caused.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attacks.