2 people killed, as many injured in firing incident at Lahore airport
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Two people were killed while two others were injured in a firing incident at Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport on Wednesday.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Ashfaq Ahmad Khan said two suspects — identified as Shan and Arshad — opened fire on a man near the airport's parking area. He said their target was Zain Ali, a 30-year-old resident of the Lakhodair area in Lahore, who was returning from Saudi Arabia after performing Umrah. He died on the spot.
Both the assailants, who have previous criminal records, have been arrested.
According to DIG Khan, the suspects had a long-running dispute with Zain.
The second victim of the shooting was a taxi driver named Akram, who had no relation to Zain but was struck during the firing. He was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Two others injured in the incident are under treatment at a hospital.
The DIG said that the suspects had duped Airport Security Force (ASF) officials and entered the airport parking area with weapons.
The two gunmen did not enter the main terminal's security cordon, but the incident raised concerns as the area is heavily patrolled by police and airport security.
DIG Khan stressed that it was the job of the ASF to manage the security at the facility. Meanwhile, SP Cantt Safdar Raza Kazmi said police are investigating how the suspects managed to enter the airport premises with weapons.
The DIG visited the site of the incident and issued the necessary instructions, a spokesperson for the Lahore Police told DawnNewsTV.
It was earlier reported that the incident took place at the arrivals/waiting area outside the main airport building. Footage available with DawnNewsTV shows the deceased man lying on the floor with two women sitting next to the body.
A forensics team reached the airport soon after the incident while entry and exit points to the airport were closed. They have since been opened. After receiving reports of the incident, a large contingent of police and Rangers personnel also reached the site.
Additional reporting by Ali Waqar and Adnan Sheikh
Read more
On DawnNews
Comments (61) Closed
Jul 03, 2019 10:54am
Army should immediately control the situation there.
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Jul 03, 2019 10:55am
Negligence and corruption is our bread and butter.Please take strict action against those who failed to perform their duties as airports in Pakistan are free from firearm.Very bad news.
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Jul 03, 2019 10:58am
If it was inside the airport security zone, it must be a matter of concern for those who are responsible. New parameters should be set and adopted to ensure non repetition of such incidents in the future throughout the country on all airports without any exceptions.
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Jul 03, 2019 11:05am
A very serious matter: what were the security people doing ? taking a nap?
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Jul 03, 2019 11:11am
How man with gun entered at airport. Lapse of security.
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Jul 03, 2019 11:15am
Scary ... I travel there for business. Not good news.
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Jul 03, 2019 11:22am
Dont know what caused the firing, but I have personally asked the staff at the exit point if they are doing their jobs and every one says yes... YET arrival area is a complete mess, one can not exit without being harrassed by touts of ALL taxi companies, people offering to unload your luggage or just "touch" female passengers. Hope this prompts them to change the SOPs of the airport
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Jul 03, 2019 11:28am
Security lapse!
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Jul 03, 2019 11:29am
We did not forget the Firoz shah kotla match between India and Pakistan where Akram wanted to be run out with Waqar Younis to stop getting 10 wickets haul of Kumble. Kumble was at his 9th wicket.
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Jul 03, 2019 11:42am
Scary...
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Jul 03, 2019 11:48am
Shows the incompetence of Airport Security Force
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Jul 03, 2019 11:58am
These incidents whether terror related or personal grudges or property quarrels give bad name to entire nation as it was near international airport. When will people come to senses that their actions impact international reputation of country. In India considerable distance to arrivals/departures you will be scrutinised and thorough check on vehicles is done.Security will be tightened up so no such incidents repeat again.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:00pm
These guys before fighting at the airport should know that it affects Pakistan's international standing.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:00pm
RIP...
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Jul 03, 2019 12:00pm
where is the security soo sad
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Jul 03, 2019 12:03pm
Was it a personal dispute or drug/money laundering related incident? Will we know the full facts?
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Jul 03, 2019 12:06pm
@SkyHawk, The security of airports is the responsibility of the Airports Security Force, which works under the Ministry of Defence.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:07pm
How a gunman got into waiting area. Security personals must be held accountable.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:09pm
If Imran wants to improve tourism be needs to wake up and smell the coffee - now you can’t even get out the airport safely
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Jul 03, 2019 12:15pm
Even if it is a case of personal dispute, how come a person was allowed to carry a gun inside the terminal..?.. Moreover, this has happened in the Arrival section...was it between some passengers..?because how the passenger/s were allowed to board the planes with gun and then they arrived and shot others!..this all need thorough investigation.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:18pm
How was the man allowed so close to the airport with a gun????!
What is going on this is a massive security breach and heads must roll because of it.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:22pm
Where is security
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Jul 03, 2019 12:23pm
The old wire checks do not work, should upgrade to proper tech to check the cars entering the airport.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:27pm
obsolete wire checks at the entrance do not work, authorities should upgrade to latest tech for the vehicle checks at the airport entrance.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:30pm
How come they entered into airport premises
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Jul 03, 2019 12:38pm
With weapons available in plenty someone is going to use them somewhere. Pray, you are never the target of the firing practise.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:38pm
ASF wake up
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Jul 03, 2019 12:44pm
How can someone just bring a gun to an Airport in a country like Pakistan? Major security lapse.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:48pm
RIP airport security force.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:53pm
Strict gun control laws and regulations needed in Pakistan.
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Jul 03, 2019 12:58pm
very good police in few seconds they informed that it was personal dispute very good . why these two people were allowed with guns in airport area . why the police did not check them and stopped them . after the firing why large no of police and rangers rushed to the area . airport are always over manned but not safe funny .the poor people are paying so much wages to enforce law but result is zero .
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Jul 03, 2019 01:03pm
How come they were allowed to carry weapons inside one of the International Airports??
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Jul 03, 2019 01:05pm
Human life should not be so worthless. Security need to change their measure to check the vehicles.
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Jul 03, 2019 01:13pm
It is anger and a mix of lots of socio/cultural and lots of other factors.
Security has not much to do except the gun control regulation but if one does not have gun, there are many other ways.
One can burn a whole jungle with just one matchstick.
Thanks.
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Jul 03, 2019 01:29pm
This is Naya Pakistan. Happens when you cut the security budget of public buildings.
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Jul 03, 2019 01:30pm
All the security check points useless and waste of time for entering a pakistani airport.
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Jul 03, 2019 01:42pm
Sad to hear this. How inexpensive human life have become. The real sufferers will be the families of the ones who died, possibly their life may have turned upside down after this incident. I just pray for all those who are out of their homes to keep them safe for their families.
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Jul 03, 2019 01:42pm
All airports must handed over to SSG unit for security reason. Also assigned security camera every inch on roads to check the incoming and out going traffic from airport. CM BUzdar must control the situation and personally visit the area and make sure won't happened in Naya Pakistan.
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Jul 03, 2019 01:53pm
Even a major international airport is not safe in this country....it doesn't matter if the reason for firing is due to personal dispute......such incidents should not happen in a high security area like airport....
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Jul 03, 2019 01:58pm
This is so sad and unnecessary. Those two men didn't have to die, if airport security had done their job. I can personally vouch for the lack of security.. The times I have travelled to this airport I have never been stoppped and checked. Never. You are supposed to check all vehicles for weapons. You should have a hand held scanner that can be run over peoples bodies and luggage to ensure they are clean.
One man returns from Umrah. The other was just trying to earn a living. So tragic.
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Jul 03, 2019 02:01pm
@Ali Asghar,
This is not new. So don't say this is about budget cuts. I have travelled to that airport many times. Each time we are allowed through without any checks. Both taxi and cars. So clearly this is a case of gross negligence and lack of security. Female or male, all must be stopped and scanned. No exceptions because then this happens.
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Jul 03, 2019 02:39pm
Who cares about incident like these when you have CPEC!!!
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Jul 03, 2019 02:42pm
Our security staff at any airport, railway station and if in case are deputed at bus terminals are totally unprofessional, careless and they give dam to the security of people. Airport staff are totally unprofessional, no training and grooming, no service oriented behavior or attitude and they all have a “ATTITUDE” in the body language and way of interaction. They think they are everything and badmash. This problem is everywhere in Pakistan and need to overhaul all of them with professionalism.
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Jul 03, 2019 03:17pm
Airport Security Force (ASF) is still using those antenna scanners, technically known as ADE-651, which are already internationally recognized fraudulent devices and the person who sold these devices in many foreign countries is serving 10 years prison in England. So you can all imagine the level of ASF and the security they provide to all airports of Pakistan.
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Jul 03, 2019 03:21pm
@Ali Asghar, wow this is the ethics you might following in your own business life, you can't connect everything with the money..
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Jul 03, 2019 03:28pm
People, don’t worry! Waseem Akram + is almost ready, just need to further dust him off so he can respectfully hand over the province to a martial law administrator and himself go back to his Pind!
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Jul 03, 2019 03:31pm
"The DIG said that the suspects had duped Airport Security Force (ASF) officials and entered the airport parking area with weapons."
Should such police officials be in service at all?
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Jul 03, 2019 03:58pm
Even the airports are not safe
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Jul 03, 2019 04:32pm
If you think about it security will has some limits.Do you think that it is feasible for the guards to pat everyone down at the airport gate and search the car and luggage?
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Jul 03, 2019 05:03pm
@Ali Asghar, yeah, while you increase army budget to 35% at the same time...
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Jul 03, 2019 05:18pm
Lahore's Allama Iqbal International Airport not a safe place !
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Jul 03, 2019 05:59pm
This is horrible, how were they allowed to enter inside with the gun. The security officers involved should be fired and strict action should be taken against them.
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Jul 03, 2019 06:15pm
@S, I totally understand what you are saying. I have the same feeling.
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Jul 03, 2019 06:36pm
@Tayyab, because it is Pakistan!
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Jul 03, 2019 06:54pm
Corruption has eased itself into almost all aspect of Pakistani systems , this has to be brought to an end , now is the time to do it .
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Jul 03, 2019 06:57pm
Its all because of NS & SS & RS & SKA. Right?
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Jul 03, 2019 07:29pm
This tragic incidence clearly shows security lapse and those found negligent in compromising security and safety of travelers, must be punished. There is a dire need to revisit existing security arrangements and making it foolproof once for all for future use.
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Jul 03, 2019 08:38pm
Pathetic.
I was at the airport couple of weeks ago and sat on the seats outside arrival. in about two minutes i saw Bedbugs crawling on my pant. i killed 6 bedbugs right there. DO NOT SIT ON THE SEATS OUTSIDE THE ARRIVALS OR DEPARTURE AREA.
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Jul 03, 2019 08:40pm
I was scheduled to fly there with two business investors. Now they are reluctant to fly into Lahore where arrival passengers are killed on the spot and inside the airport where security is supposed to be at peak. they cancelled the reservation indefinitely. Mr. PM, where is your safety net for foreign investors ???
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Jul 03, 2019 09:08pm
@SkyHawk, why???
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Jul 04, 2019 07:57pm
Indian agents, no doubt.
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