Advanced Search

Related News

Home » World

All 10 militants attacking Karachi airport killed

Source: Xinhua | June 9, 2014, Monday | Online Edition

All the 10 militants involved in Sunday night's attack at Jinnah Airport in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi were killed in a joint operation launched by the Pakistan army, Airport Security Force (ASF) and Police officers said.

Major General Asim Bajwa, spokesperson for Inter Services Public relations, the administrative military organization within the Pakistan Defense Forces, tweeted Monday morning that the 10 militants were killed one after another in the retaliatory attack by security forces.

He said that in the joint operation, the Pakistan army and Paramilitary troops Rangers were at front line, with ASF taking positions while the police providing an outer cordon.

Bajwa said that the troops had cleared the area and would return the airport to the Civil Aviation Authority by midday after the precautionary sweep after day light.

"The Area cleared. No damage to aircraft, fire visible in pics was not plane but a building, now extinguished. All vital assets intact," Bajwa tweeted.

Earlier, local media reported that the militants set two airplanes including cargo plane of a foreign company on fire and partially damaged four others by firing at them.

In a footage taken from quite a distance a plane was seen parked near huge flames of fire.

Local media reports said that eight militants were killed in shoot-out with security forces while two blew themselves up near the airport workshop and engineering unit, incurring a heavy loss to them.

ARY TV reported that 13 people including seven Airport Security Force personnel, a policeman, an employee of the Civil Aviation authority and a captain with Pakistan International Airlines were killed in the attack.

At least 18 security personnel were also injured in the attack who were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.

According to a statement by the spokesperson of the Prime Minister House, at least 10 heavily armed militants entered the airport from a terminal used for cargo and special VIP operations at about 11:20 p.m. (local time).

The attackers succeeded in entering the airport by lobbing the security personnel on duty and opening fire at them. They also set an oil terminal and a building on fire.

The airport fire was put out by fire fighters who said that 30 vehicles were involved in the operation.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif called DG Rangers and directed them to ensure safety of all the passengers in the waiting area of the airport.

He also directed the concerned officials to speed up the operation.

Eyewitnesses said that the attackers coming on a vehicle were young men of short heights.

Some officials said that the terrorists were wearing ASF uniforms which made it easy for them to reach the airport.

Flight operation was suspended at the airport following the attack and the incoming planes were diverted to other cities.

No group or militant organization has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

World


 

Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

沪公网安备 31010602000204号

Email this to your friend