Terrorists attack Karachi airport

KARACHI: Terrorists attacked Pakistan’s largest commercial airport in Karachi on Sunday night. According to DG ISPR Major Gen. Asim Bajwa six terrorists have been killed while law enforcers continue to battle with the remaining.

Ten people have lost their lives in the attack including law enforcement personnel while another 18 have been injured.

Terrorists armed with Indian-made weapons including automatic weapons, hand grenades, suicide jackets and rocket launchers penetrated the old terminal opening fire and hurling grenades on Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel, making their way onto the tarmac.

 Seven ASF personnel along with one each from Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) lost their lives in the attack while another, a policeman was also martyred when he tried to apprehend a suicide bomber.

 Security forces confirm that four terrorists have also been killed.

Two planes were partially damaged in the terrorist attack. TV footage showed one of the planes had caught fire. 

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif contacted DG Rangers Rizwan Akhtar and directed him to ensure safety of all the passengers at the airport. Corps commander Karachi and DG Rangers are leading the operation while Pakistan Army personnel are also standing by ready to assist.

According to DG ISPR Asim Bajwa, confirmed on twitter that no plane caught fire in the attack adding that all passengers onboard the planes had been evacuated to safer places. Bajwa added, he made contact with Operational Commander at the airport who said terrorists had been contained in one area.

 Following the attack, Emergency was declared at the Jinnah, Civil and Abbasi Shaheed Hospitals where 18 injured are under treatment.

 AIG Sindh Ghulam Qadir Thebo while talking to media said the situation was under control. LEAs have cleared one side of the airport from where the terrorists were firing.

He said one policeman was martyred and two others injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up when the policemen tried to apprehend him.

AIG Sindh also confirmed that no plane was damaged in the attack, adding that fire was billowing from the site where fuel was stored.

Thebo added that 11 people including a policeman were killed in the airport attack.

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has ordered an inquiry into the attack.

Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah arrived at the airport after the reports of attack.

Speaking to media personnel at the airport, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon said CM Sindh Qaim Ali Shah, who is also Sindh Home Minister, arrived on the directives of Asif Ali Zardari and Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

He declined to comment on the sensitive information, saying exchange of fire was continuing and it was premature to comment on it.

However, he said according to his information no aircraft was damaged in the attack.

Flights to Karachi have been diverted to Nawabshah while the Karachi Airport has been sealed.