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| India-Pakistan |
| Terror at Karachi airport: 16 dead, including 6 militants |
| 2014-06-09 |
| [DAWN] Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... Airport's old terminal has been attacked by heavily armed assailants on Sunday night, Dawn News reported. At least 16 people have been reportedly killed, including security personnel and civilians. Six turbans were also among the dead. Some eight to 10 attackers were said to have engaged in a shootout with security forces. Pakistain Army troops were called in to deal with the situation and troops from Malir Cantonment have been dispatched, while police commandos and Karachi Rangers are assisting. A huge kaboom was heard over two hours into the attack. A second large kaboom was heard near the airport workshop. A third massive kaboom was heard a further 30-40 minutes in. Huge clouds of smoke continue to dominate the skyline. Intermittent firing continues at the airport, while large plumes of smoke have been seen over the cargo terminal. One plane each of PIA and AirBlue, and a cargo plane of a foreign company have been damaged. A hand grenade attack was also carried out on the Isphani Hanger. Suicide bombers are reportedly part of the terrorist squad that has infiltrated the airport. Staff is being rescued by the security personnel and moved to safer areas. Rescue teams are being allowed in after being checked thoroughly. Passengers have been evacuated and moved to a secure location. Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif ... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf... has called DG Rangers Sindh and asked him to ensure the safety of passengers. All flight operations at Jinnah Terminal have been suspended and flights have been diverted to other airports. Pakistain correspondent for the Daily Telegraph Rob Crilly reported that he had spoken to MQM leader Farooq Sattar and stated that, "He sounds calm but understandably concerned about being stuck on plane filled with aviation fuel." Death toll The bodies of 10 people including ASF officials were brought to Jinnah Hospital a few hours into the attack, along with 15 injured. At least four turbans have also been killed. A rocket launcher and four SMGs were recovered from the slain terrorists. One jacket wallah went kaboom!during the attack, injuring one security personnel. A Rangers spokesperson claimed, "Indian arms and ammunition" were found on the bodies of the terrorists. How they got in The attackers are said to have forged fake ID cards of ASF and entered the area. Broken glass and used gun magazines littered the engineering section where the first exchange of gunfire had taken place. The turbans carried out the attack from three different sides, officials said, while there are reports that two turbans managed to get inside a plane. Motive? While no group has claimed the Karachi airport attack, suspicion falls on the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) who had assaulted the headquarters of Pakistain's naval air force in May 2011, killing 13 people, injuring 16 others and blowing up at least two military aircraft. Regarding today's attack: As reported on the New York Times ...which still proudly displays Walter Duranty's Pulitzer prize... website: "The target appears to be to create panic and damage the fleet," said one government official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. As reported on the Washington Post website: One senior Pak intelligence official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, said some of the snuffies tried to hijack a plane but were unsuccessful. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #4 Motive? Monday |
| Posted by: Shipman 2014-06-09 22:48 |
| #3 Not that hard to get them from, say, the NE corner of India... |
| Posted by: Pappy 2014-06-09 15:58 |
| #2 "Indian arms and ammunition" Stated for 'local' consumption, perhaps. |
| Posted by: Mullah Richard 2014-06-09 11:02 |
| #1 Latest casualty estimate: At least 28 people - including 10 terrorists - have been killed, 14 injured. |
| Posted by: ryuge 2014-06-09 06:18 |