Pakistan army soldiers stand guard at the Minhas base at Kamra, in Punjab province August 16, 2012. — Photo by Reuters

ISLAMABAD: A second air man died of injuries sustained in an audacious militant assault on a key Pakistani air base, raising the overall death toll from the attack to 11, the military said Friday.

Heavily armed militants dressed in fatigues and wearing suicide vests stormed the base on Thursday, sparking heavy clashes that killed one security official and nine attackers at PAF Base Minhas in the northwestern town of Kamra.

Air Force spokesman Tariq Mahmood told AFP that a second air man had died in hospital on Friday morning as a result of injuries from the assault.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed what was the worst attack on a military base for more than a year.

PAF Minhas, in Punjab province and only 60 kilometres northwest of Islamabad, has been attacked twice before, but on previous occasions the militants had not managed to penetrate the compound.

Its aeronautical complex assembles Mirage and, with Chinese help, JF-17 fighter jets.

Opinion

Editorial

Weathering the storm
Updated 29 Apr, 2024

Weathering the storm

Let 2024 be the year when we all proactively ensure that our communities are safeguarded and that the future is secure against the inevitable next storm.
Afghan repatriation
29 Apr, 2024

Afghan repatriation

COMPARED to the roughshod manner in which the caretaker set-up dealt with the issue, the elected government seems a...
Trying harder
29 Apr, 2024

Trying harder

IT is a relief that Pakistan managed to salvage some pride. Pakistan had taken the lead, then fell behind before...
Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.