Ten security personnel and four militants were killed in the attack. Two US-made aircraft were also destroyed.

Although a navy spokesman insisted the transfer was pre-planned and unconnected to the gun, grenade and rocket assault, Pakistan’s military is under increasing domestic pressure to be held accountable over security lapses.

“Commodore Khalid Pervez is taking over as the base commander and his predecessor Raja Tahir will be assigned new responsibilities,” Commander Salman Ali, a navy spokesman, said. He did not say what new job the outgoing commander will hold.

“It is a routine and scheduled transfer. The base commander was scheduled to be replaced, even if there was no attack on the facility,” he said.