Pakistan: Huge Blasts at a Naval Air Base in Karachi · Global Voices
Rezwan

News is coming in that there were consecutive blasts inside a Pakistan Naval base in Karachi at around 11pm on May 22, 2011.
The PNS Mehran (Pakistan Naval Station Mehran), a heavily guarded facility of Pakistan Navy located along Shahrah-e-Faisal,  is the headquarter of the Navy's Naval Air Arm. Eight to ten terrorists entered from the naval museum and launched an armed attack on PNS Mehran, destroying a P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft with rockets.
There are reports of loads of gunfire and towering flames as the security forces and army personnel retaliate. Reuters reports that four Pakistan airforce personnel have died in the attacks so far.
P-3C Orion surveillance aircraft. Image via Twitpic by @FarrukhSiddiqui.
Pakistani Twitter users were quick to spread the news and voice their reactions. Here are glimpses of those conversations.
Osman from Lahore, Pakistan reports:
@BitHack3r: PNS Mehran is being attacked by terrorists. – Rehman Malik #Pakistan #Karachi
@BitHack3r: A 4 engine naval aircraft being hit by terrorists, still on fire. #Karachi #Pakistan
@BitHack3r: Terrorists are still inside PNS Mehran (Faisal Base). – Rehman malik
Saad informs:
@kursed: Attackers came in from 3 sides at PNS Mehran; Dalmiya, Gulistan e Johar and Shahrah e Faisal
More reports:
@FK_kashmir: #blasts near PAF Base Faisal. thick smoke and flares for SOS can b seen from my place, can also hear firing going on there #Karachi #Pakistan
@Bixenjo (Sikander Bizenjo): Firing and blasts on naval base in Karachi; around 20 blasts have been heard around. Smoke up in the sky due to huge blasts. #Pakistan
@javeednusrat: a dependable source insists the attack started with rocket fires and not bombs.it has all the appearances of a well-drilled out attack.
@ammaryasir: 5 injured includes one foreigner, probably a Chinese.
@faizanlakhani:  complete blackout in base Faisal and Mehran
@terminalxpk: NSSG (Naval Commandos) deployed through choppers at the firefight area, counter-operation underway #Karachi #Pakistan
@kfaroqi: Pak Army killed 6 jamat e islami taliban and al qaeda terrorists in PNS Mehran. Well done #karachi #Pakistan #mqm
@hiranajam: All of PNS Mehran, Faisal Base cleared – except for the building where the terrorists are sheltering themselves – Reports
Khaver Siddiqi depicts the reality:
@Thekarachikid: There's a 9/11, 26/11 and 7/7. Then there's everyday in Pakistan. #prayforpakistan
More reactions:
@faisalkapadia Wake up this is our fight they are attacking us no one else lets use any means to get em before they ruin us #pakistan
@adnanrasool: I have a feeling that.. the attack in Karachi is aimed at blowing up planes of #pakistan Navy and Airforce… its horrific in #karachi
@faisalkapadia: People of #karachi we are under attack we must “unite” and not panic! Please stay calm we are togather in this. #mehran
Check out more updates on this developing story using these hashtags –  #Karachi, #Pakistan, #KarachiAttacks and #mehran.