A team of up to nine Taliban militants - believed to be working under the direction of Al Qaeda - attacked a Pakistani Air Force base linked to the country's nuclear program early Thursday, killing one security official during a gunfight lasting more than two hours that left the insurgents dead.

Armed with rocket-propelled grenades, automatic weapons and suicide belts, the militants attacked Air Force Base Minhas at about 2 a.m. local time, Pakistani Air Force officials said. Sources told Fox News that while Taliban militants carried out the attack, initial indications show that Al Qaeda ordered the predawn raid.

Military officials believe the attack may be a response to speculation that following longstanding U.S. pressure on Pakistan, armed forces may be launching a clearing operation in the terrorist stronghold of North Waziristan.

At least one of the rockets struck a hangar, pierced its wall and exploded, damaging one of the aircraft parked inside, said Pakistani Air Force spokesman Tariq Mahmood.