Karachi airport under attack by militants – live updates Heavy fighting has broken out at Pakistans busiest airport after armed gunmen penetrated the security cordon, hurling grenades and exchanging gunfire with Pakistani security forces Pakistani security troops rush to Karachi airport following an attack by gunmen on Sunday night A bit about the airports background and lay-out now. It was subject to a major expansion in the 1980s when a second and third terminal was added to the one which has its roots in the airstrip which was first used in the An even greater expansion programme was undertaken in the mid 1990s. While Terminal Two is now largely dedicated to pilgrims on their way to the Haj in Saudi Arabia, Terminal One is the headquarters of Pakistans Civil Aviation Authority. Terminal 3 is dedicated to commercial offices. 10.30pm BST Maryam Nawaz Sharif, the Pakistani Prime Ministers daughter, has also been tweeting on events at the airport. She says: 3 terrorists killed and 7 surrounded by security forces : PM — Maryam Nawaz Sharif (@MaryamNSharif) June 8, 2014 Elsewhere, journalist Ali Kamran Chishti has said in the last few minutes that two large explosions have been heard inside the airport and that troops are now moving on to the runway securing planes one by one. 10.22pm BST Security at Karachi airport has never been particularly impressive, according to the Guardians Jon Boone. Even with the threat level as it is from the Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups, he says that the security at Karachi airport is nowhere near the level of security found at Kabul airport in neighbouring Afghanistan. The outer perimiter is distinctly unimpressive. It has a security force that is just responsible for guarding Pakistans civilian airports. These men carry gadgets or rods similar to the fake bomb detectors sold notoriously by a British businessman jailed last year for selling these devices. Guards walk around your car holding these these devices. When you walk in security is more rigorous - there are pat downs and frisking. Rob Crilly of the Telegraph tweets on this same topic: Not sure a factor in this attack, but last time I used Karachi airport guards still using novelty golf ball detectors to check cars — Rob Crilly (@robcrilly) June 8, 2014 Updated at 10.23pm BST 10.11pm BST Its been reported that a suicide bomber has blown himself up amid the fighting. Thats according to Ali Kamran Chishti, a Karachi-based journalist. A Pakistani military spokesman meanwhile tweets: #Kci Update:All passengers in planes evacuated to safer places. Hunt for terrorists on.3 terrorist bodies lying,ident in progress.at 0212 — AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 8, 2014 #Kci Update:Just spoke to Operational commander.Terrorists contained in one area,localized.JINNAH terminal secure,no plane in flames-at 0210 — AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 8, 2014 10.03pm BST This has thickened the plot somewhat. Reports have suggested that Farooq Sattar, a prominent leader of Pakistans powerful Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which has its power base in Karachi, had boarded a flight at the airport shortly before the attack. Rob Crilly, who is based in Pakistan for the Daily Telegraph, tweets: Have spoken to Farooq Sattar. He sounds calm but understandably concerned about being stuck on plane filled with aviation fuel — Rob Crilly (@robcrilly) June 8, 2014 9.57pm BST Ive been talking to the Guardians Jon Boone about this attack, who says that the last really big assault on an air installation was in 2011 when a team of about 15 attackers killed 20 personnel at a military base Jon says that the attack this evening is already having a similar affect to the one in 2011: People are asking how could such an attack take place on an a such a potentially obvious target… a civilian airport that is in Karachi, Pakistans commercial hub, a city of 20 million people, one of the biggest cities in the world. It appears that rather than attempting to go through the front, or the main civilian terminal they appeared to have attacked smaller terminal used by VIPs or pilgrims when they travel to Mecca. Updated at 10.25pm BST 9.38pm BST Raza Rumi, a writer and policy analyst based in Pakistan tweets a picture which he says has been taken by a passenger inside the airport: #KarachiAirport. Pic by a passenger stuck there - M. Qasim. #Rangers can be seen. pic.twitter/AlcDIwwklN v @ahsannagi #Pakistan — Raza Rumi (@Razarumi) June 8, 2014 9.19pm BST You can read our latest story on the fighting at Karachi airport by clicking here. The attack is ongoing at the airport in the sprawling port city on Pakistans southern coast of Pakistan. Gunfire could be heard coming from the terminal as authorities scrambled to secure the area. Five bodies were brought from the airport to Jinnah Hospital, along with one person who had been wounded, the Associated Press was told by Dr. Seemi Jamali at the hospital. 9.13pm BST Pakistani troops are bolstering other security forces at the airport now, according to local media reports. A senior Pakistani military officer is also tweeting updates as follows: Update Kci:DG Rangers present at Airport,leading the operation. Corps Commander supervising it.Coordination of all those operating critical — AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 8, 2014 Update Kci Airport:Army Troops moved to Airport,have started reaching.Taking positions.Proper coordination being ensured for optimum effect — AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 8, 2014 9.05pm BST So who is behind the attack? Well, just last month a major faction of the Pakistani Taliban announced it was splitting from the militant outfit following bloody clashes with a rival group since March. Observers said the split was a victory for the Pakistani militarys strategy of pitting militant factions against each other while gaining the loyalty of key commanders. Peace talks between the government and Taliban that began this year have stalled, with the military recently resorting to air strikes on militant hideouts, killing at least 75 people. The breakaway faction belongs to the Mehsud tribe, widely considered the most important of the various groups that comprise the umbrella Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has fought the government since 2007 to implement its version of sharia law. Azam Tariq, a spokesman for the breakaway group, said last month: We announce our defection from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. We have chosen our Khalid Mehsud as the new leader for South Waziristan. Azam Tariq, a leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, talks with media in North Waziristan on May 27. A major faction of the Pakistani Taliban announced on May 28 it was splitting from the militant outfit following bloody clashes with a rival group since March. Azam Tariq, a leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, talks with media in North Waziristan on May 27. A major faction of the Pakistani Taliban announced on May 28 it was splitting from the militant outfit following bloody clashes with a rival group since March. Photograph: NASIR AHMED MEHSUD/AFP/Getty Images Updated at 9.07pm BST 8.46pm BST Karachi airport attacked by militants Heavy fighting has broken out at Pakistans busiest airport after armed gunmen penetrated the cordon of security around the facility in Karachi, hurling grenades and exchanging gunfire with Pakistani security forces. Smoke and flames were seen billowing from Jinnah International airports old terminal, which was surrounded by police, who initially said that they believed up to 10 gunmen were involved in the attack. At least four security guards were initially killed, according to local media, which carried reports of one aircraft being on fire. All flights have been diverted. Attacks have taken place before on airports in Pakistan, but this is believed to have been the first time that a civilian airport rather a military one has been attacked. Its Ben Quinn here in London. Jon Boone is also reporting on events from Islamabad. Were going to be bringing you live blog coverage of events in Karachi. theguardian/world/2014/jun/08/karachi-airport-under-attack-by-militants-live-updates
Posted on: Sun, 08 Jun 2014 21:45:49 +0000
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