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KARACHI: Attackers managed to flee as a heavy contingent of security forces reached Airport Security Force (ASF) camp number 2, which came under a fresh attack on Tuesday, DawnNews reported. Flight operations resumed after being temporarily suspended, and routes leading to the airport were cleared for traffic, the Civil Aviation Authority said.
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the second attack near the Karachi airport. A security sweep and search operation is underway at the ASF academy, which is located in Bhitai Abad, Pehlwan Goth.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) spokesperson Asim Bajwa posted on Twitter that the "chase is still on". "Three to four terrorists fired near ASF camp, ran away. No breach of fence, no entry.Chase is on, situation under control," he posted, soon after the attack.
Deputy Director General ASK, Colonel Tahir Ali said there were no casualties in the new attack. He also said the the airport is secure at that operations have resumed. He said that two attackers opened fire near the ladies hostel near D gate, which is located behind the ASF camp. "The ASF checkpost is about 100 metres from the scene. We were informed of the incident by our sentry posted there," he said.
The DG ASF in a press conference later cautioned journalists against using the word "hamla" (attack) to describe the latest incident at the ASF camp.
Heavy firing was reported at the ASF camp in the metropolis on Tuesday after unidentified men entered the premises. Initial reports suggest that the number of attackers could be between four and seven.
Following a search operation in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, two suspects have been detained by security forces.
DawnNews reported that explosions were also heard, causing panic among citizens in the vicinity. The Director General of Rangers has reached the site to oversee the operation.
Read more: Analysis - Airport security challenge
The camp is situated near the Jinnah International Airport which the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had cleared on Monday after a long battle between security forces and terrorists left 28 dead.
A Twitter account allegedly operated by Omar Khorasani of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Mohmand faction tweeted on Tuesday claiming that the group has carried out this second attack.
The Twitter account of the CAA, @AirportPakistan tweeted earlier that EK 606 from Dubai which was expected to arrive at Karachi airport at 12:50pm is now returning to Dubai. It also posted that a Shaheen International Airlines flight NL 162 coming from Multan has been sent back. It later posted that flights are now landing and departing from the airport.
Read More: Karachi airport attack - How it happened ...
Roads leading to the airport had been cordoned off as security forces are engaged in a search operation.
Karachi airport attack: How it happened...
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