MILITANTS STORM PAKISTAN NAVAL AIR BASE DESTROY P3-ORION AIRCRAFT HOLDING CHINESE MILITARY PERSONNEL HOSTAGE

Gunmen have attacked a military base in the Pakistani city of Karachi, killing at least 11 soldiers, officials say.

The attackers are now holding hostages, including Chinese military personnel, at the Mehran naval aviation base.

Eight hours after the incident began, blasts and gunfire were heard as security forces tackled the militants.

militants stormed three hangars housing aircraft at the Mehran base, according to officials.

Their first targets were aircraft parked on the tarmac and equipment in nearby hangers, says the BBC's Syed Shoaib Hasan at the scene.

Eyewitnesses say the militants used rocket propelled grenades to damage and destroy several warplanes. These included the Pakistan navy's premier anti-submarine attack jet - the US made P-3C Orion.

At least two of these multi-million dollar aircraft were set ablaze.

"The operation still continues. It is not over yet,"

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-south-asia-13495127