Five killed as gunmen attack Karachi airport

At least five security personnel were killed after the old terminal of Jinnah International Airport in Karachi came under attack from heavily armed gunmen Sunday night, a leading Pakistani daily reported. Army troops have been called in to deal with the situation.

Five Airport Security Force (ASF) personnel were killed when heavily armed assailants started shooting and hurling grenades after entering the airport using forged ID cards of ASF, The Dawn reported citing security sources.

The attackers also managed to enter a plane. One plane each of Pakistan International Airlines and AirBlue and a cargo plane of a foreign company have been damaged in the attack.

As intermittent firing continues, heavy contingents of police and paramilitary troppers have sealed all the routes leading to the airport.

A rescue operation has been launched to move airport staff to safer areas.

Rescue teams are being allowed after being checked thoroughly.

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called DG Rangers Sindh and asked him to ensure the safety of passengers, the daily said.

All flight operations at the airport have been suspended and flights have been diverted to other airports.