Taliban Say Brazen Karachi Airport Attack That Killed 24 People Was ‘Revenge’

The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan have claimed responsibility for the brazen attack on Pakistan’s busiest airport Jinnah International. The 6-hour siege left 24 people dead, 10 of whom were militants.

Just before 5 am, Pakistan time, the military reported that the last of the attackers had been killed. The militants reportedly entered the airport with fake Airport Security Force IDs, automatic weapons, grenades and RPGs. The Taliban say the attack was revenge for the army’s air strikes along the Afghan border.

Latest reports from Pakistan’s leading daily Dawn say that a military operation was relaunched at the Karachi Airport, following a fresh round of gunfire, which started hours after the military said it had cleared the airport of all militants. The military hopes to clear the airport by noon, Pakistan time.

One suicide bomber blew himself up during the attack. Fourteen people from airport staff, ground staff from Pakistan’s national airline, and security forces were also killed. All passengers who were stranded in aircrafts during the siege were safely moved into the main terminal building after the initial siege ended. Militants also damaged three empty parked airplanes.

Karachi Airport employees being escorted out of Jinnah International Airport. Photo tweeted by @Dawn_com

The old terminal at Pakistan’s busiest airport – Karachi’s Jinnah International came under attack by heavily armed militants late Sunday night. Although the gunmen reportedly entered from the old terminal reserved for VVIP movement or Hajj Flights, both airports share the same runways.

This Twitter user – Syed Saim Rizvi – was stranded on an Emirates plane at the airport during the siege:

I have no words for emirates staff! They are fully in fear but trying to serve us & trying to normalize passengers . SSG com chambered now

— Syed Saim A. Rizvi (@saim_riz) June 8, 2014

Earlier he tweeted:

I am still in the plane – emirates staff ordered earlier to off load all passengers but now we have to stay on board. Heavy firing & blasts

— Syed Saim A. Rizvi (@saim_riz) June 8, 2014

Here’s how the attack unfolded:

While the attack and the operation was underway some praised the Twitter account@AirportPakistan:

Some people compared the latest attack at Karachi’s airport to the Mehran Naval Base attack that happened in Karachi in 2011.

While media channels were reporting on the military operation, some complained about lack of security around the airport area.

Unfortunately, as is typical of breaking news coverage, there were conflicting reports regarding the number of attackers, as well as other rumors regarding a plane being burned down or hijacked, here are some reactions from Twitter in response to shoddy media reports:

This tweet was sent out after the Pakistan military joined in the operation alongside the Karachi Rangers (paramilitary force) and the Airport Security Force. The Chief Minister of Sindh also arrived at the scene to review the security conditions.

This is a developing story, for the latest follow @etribune, @dawn_com,@AirportPakistan, @AsimBajwaISPR @YusrasAskari @AfiaSalam

This article was originally published on Global Voices.