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Pakistan army says militant attacks air force base in northwest; 6 attackers killed

Associated Press
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Pakistani commandos arrive at an air force base in Peshawar, Pakistan, Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. Militants in northwestern Pakistan attacked an air force base on the outskirts of Peshawar early Friday, triggering a shootout that left at least 20 wounded and six of the attackers dead, officials said. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad) (The Associated Press)

Pakistan army troops rush towards an air force base in Peshawar, Pakistan, Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. Militants in northwestern Pakistan attacked an air force base on the outskirts of Peshawar early Friday, triggering a shootout that left at least 20 wounded and six of the attackers dead, officials said. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad) (The Associated Press)

Pakistani commandos arrive at an air force base in Peshawar, Pakistan, Friday, Sept. 18, 2015. Militants in northwestern Pakistan attacked an air force base on the outskirts of Peshawar early Friday, triggering a shootout that left at least 20 wounded and six of the attackers dead, officials said. (AP Photo/Mohammad Sajjad) (The Associated Press)

The Pakistani army says a group of militants have attacked an air force base in the country's northwest, triggering a shootout in which at least six attackers were killed.

Army spokesman Maj. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa says he attack happened early Friday in Badaber on the outskirts of the northwestern city of Peshawar. He says two soldiers were also wounded in the attack.

He provided no further details.

The Badaber air base was not functional and it is mostly being used as a residential place for the employees and officers of the air force. The base was established in 1960s.

The Pakistani army is currently carrying out a major military operation against local and foreign militants in North Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan.