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At Least Eight Dead After Gunmen Attack Pakistani Air Bases

Updated

Gunman attacked two air bases in southwestern Pakistan, prompting a shoot-out with police.

Officials say they killed at least eight of the insurgents, who were reportedly armed with automatic weapons, grenades, and wearing suicide vests.

At least seven police were wounded in the attacks late on August 14.

Locals reported hearing explosions and gunfire at the Samungli air base used by the Pakistani Air Force, as well as at the Khalid Military Air Base in Balochistan's capital of Quetta.

The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Balochistan, a massive region that borders both Afghanistan and Iran, is full of natural resources and has been the scene of a long-running separatist conflict that has killed thousands.

Pakistan has suffered several recent attacks on its airports.

In June, a Taliban attack killed 30 people at Karachi airport, and militants also fired at a plane in Peshawar.

Based on reporting by Reuters, AFP, and AP

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