Pakistan: 23 Dead As Taliban Gunmen Attack Karachi Airport

by Benson Agoha

Twenty Three people died last night after gun men attacked Pakistan's biggest international and domestic airport in Karachi, Sindh Province.

According to media reports, the attackers, numbering about 10 all died after soldiers responded to the assault and put it down.

Jinnah International Airport came under attack after the men disguised as Police guards. It lasted for 6 hours and has now been claimed by the Taliban.

According to Magic Radio and the BBC, the raid began late on Sunday, at a terminal used for cargo and VIP flights.

Media reports say the dead included the 10 attackers, airport security staff and airline workers. At least 14 people were wounded in the attack.

* A Thick rose from the Airport Building

Claiming responsibility, a Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid, said the assault was "a message to the Pakistan government that we are still alive to react over the killings of innocent people in bomb attacks on their villages"

Full Details of destruction, besides the dead, has not been determined but a video posted by the BBC shows a huge inferno and smoke rising from one of the buildings.

Pakistan has been the target of attacks by the Taliban and analysts say it was not surprising that they claimed responsibility.

Media reports say things appear not to have gone as originally expected and that the airport might not be reopening as earlier announced, adding "it might just not be over yet." 

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* Photo Credit:    AP/BBC.