Attack on Karachi airport leaves at least 23 dead

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Gunmen attacked one of Pakistan's biggest airports on Sunday and at least 23 people were killed, including all 10 of the attackers, media reported.

All the 10 militants involved in the attack were killed in a joint operation launched by the Pakistan army, Airport Security Force and police officers said.

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

The report said that at least 10 people, including seven Airport Security Force personnel, a policeman, an employee of Civil Aviation authority and a captain with Pakistan International Airlines were killed in the attack.

At least 17 security personnel were also injured in the attack.

One militant who was trying to flee was arrested by the security forces.

According to a statement from 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 pm (local time). The attackers succeeded in entering the airport by lobbing hand grenades at the on duty security personnel and opening fire at them.

The militants set two airplanes, including a cargo plane of a foreign company, on fire and partially damaged four others by firing at them.

Government officials later denied the reports of damage to the planes, but local media keep insisting that the militants incurred a heavy loss to the planes parked at the airport. Militants also reportedly set an oil terminal at fire.

Cornered by the army, the militants retreated to one area of the airport.One of them blew up himself outside the airport's engineering unit, causing heavy damage to it. Another blew himself up outside the airport's workshop.

Director General ISPR, Major General Asim Bajwa, said on Twitter, "all passengers in planes evacuated to safer places. The hunt for terrorists is on."

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

About the broadcaster:

Anne Ruisi is an editor at China Daily online with more than 30 years of experience as a newspaper editor and reporter. She has worked at newspapers in the U.S., including The Birmingham News in Alabama and City Newspaper of Rochester, N.Y.