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The deadliest attack by Taliban happened on Pakistan air force base that is 10km (6 miles) south of Peshawar on Friday. Dressed in police uniforms, gunmen stormed the Badaber air base killing around 17 people, while 13 terrorists were killed by security forces, tweeted military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa. However, Taliban said that just one of their men died.

Of the victims who were killed, 16 were offering morning prayers at a mosque inside the compound during the attack, while an army officer was another victim. The Pakistani Taliban said they ordered the attack. As per reports, the exchange of fire injured nearly 20 people including 10 soldiers.

According to Gen Bajwa, militants entered the base at two points and later divided into groups. The attackers were contained by a rapid response force send out to the scene. It is not clear as to how many gunmen were involved in the attack. Remaining attackers were being hunted by security forces, Gen Bajwa said.

Muhammad Khurasani, spokesman of Pakistani Taliban said in an email that the attack was carried out by a "suicidal unit".

Reuters news agency quoted an unnamed military official that the militants had "explosives-laden jackets and were armed with hand-propelled grenades, mortars, AK-47 rifles".

Condemning the attack, Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said, "Terrorists will be rooted out from the country."

-Sumana