RAWALPINDI: Bodies of four Airport Security Force (ASF) officials killed in the terrorist attack at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport were brought to Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) on Monday where their funeral was held.

The officials have been identified as Babar Company Sub-Inspector Hafeezur Rehman from Abbottabad, Ghulam Murtaza of the ASF Quick Response Force from Rawalakot, and Mohammad Iqbal and Muntazir Shah from Nowshera.

Following the funeral, the bodies were sent to their respective towns.

As the bodies were offloaded from the first flight out of Karachi following the attack, ASF staff members placed flowers on top of the coffins to pay their respects, and comforted each other over the tragic death of their colleagues.

According to security sources, 11 ASF personnel were killed.

The militants’ assault on Pakistan’s largest airport began Sunday night at around 11pm when 21 aircraft – including those parked at the airport’s Isphani hanger – were present at the airport.

Though BBIA in Islamabad and Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport were placed on ‘red alert’, security at BBIA was further tightened on Monday.

Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer (RPO) Akhtar Omer Hayat Laleka visited BBIA on Monday morning and held a meeting with the chief security officer (CSO) to review security arrangements.

As part of the tightened security measures, all temporary entry passes were cancelled until further notice.

“Yes, the airport was placed on ‘red alert’ last night, and the security level is being maintained,” a senior security official said, adding that every individual entering the airport was being searched and their baggage scanned.

When contacted, the RPO said extra police pickets had also been established at Gracy Lane, Flying Club, Rawal Road, Chatri Chowk and Dhoke Lulial. In addition, about 150 extra police personnel have been deployed to the outer cordon of the airport. “Security issues have been discussed with airport authorities, and certain loopholes noticed during the visit have been dealt with,” the RPO said.

Elite Force commandos have been deployed at the airport entrance and exit. ASF personnel, trained by experts from the Special Services Group, have been deployed at the inner cordon of the airport.

Police conducted a search in neighbouring areas while the Rawalpindi corps commander visited Nur Khan Airbase to review security arrangements.

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2014