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Gunmen attack Karachi's Jinnah International Airport Gunmen attack Karachi's Jinnah International Airport
(35 minutes later)
Heavily armed gunmen have attacked Karachi's international airport, killing at least five security guards and hurling grenades, reports say. Heavily armed gunmen have attacked Karachi's international airport, killing at least five people and hurling grenades, reports say.
Pakistani media reported between four and 10 gunmen had attacked Jinnah International Airport's old terminal.Pakistani media reported between four and 10 gunmen had attacked Jinnah International Airport's old terminal.
Dawn News said security personnel had surrounded the airport and sealed off roads, and the army had been called in. Security personnel have surrounded the airport and sealed off roads, and army commandos have been called in.
All operations at the terminal have been suspended and all flights to the airport are being diverted.All operations at the terminal have been suspended and all flights to the airport are being diverted.
Staff are being evacuated.Staff are being evacuated.
Billowing smokeBillowing smoke
The security guards killed were said to be part of the Airport Security Force (ASF). The dead were said to be security guards from the Airport Security Force (ASF) and airline workers.
A doctor at Jinnah Hospital told Associated Press five bodies had been brought there, as well as one wounded person.A doctor at Jinnah Hospital told Associated Press five bodies had been brought there, as well as one wounded person.
Dawn said the gunmen had infiltrated from the Fokker Gate area. Some reports said they had cut through a barbed wire fence. Dawn News said the gunmen had infiltrated from the Fokker Gate area. Some reports said they had cut through a barbed wire fence.
There is no indication yet who is carrying out the attack.There is no indication yet who is carrying out the attack.
Geo News said two attackers were also reported dead and that smoke was billowing from the terminal.
An ASF spokesman told Agence France-Presse that the gunmen had reached the runway and that a "gun battle is continuing between terrorists and [armed] forces".An ASF spokesman told Agence France-Presse that the gunmen had reached the runway and that a "gun battle is continuing between terrorists and [armed] forces".
Dawn reported that some attackers had managed to get inside one plane and that three planes had been damaged. An AFP reporter saw used gun magazines littering the engineering section where the first exchange took place and said that the previously heavy gunfire was now more sporadic.
Geo News said two attackers were also reported dead and that smoke is billowing from the terminal. Dawn reported that some attackers had managed to get inside a plane and that three aircraft had been damaged.
Sarmad Hussain, an official with Pakistan International Airlines, told AP: "I was working at my office when I heard big blasts - several blasts - and then there were heavy gunshots."
He said he and a colleague escaped by jumping from a window. His colleague broke a leg.
The terminal is not normally used for commercial flights but for cargo and special VIP operations.The terminal is not normally used for commercial flights but for cargo and special VIP operations.
Sindh's Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah is said to have arrived at the scene.Sindh's Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah is said to have arrived at the scene.
Pakistan has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, with the Pakistani Taliban the main militant group.Pakistan has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, with the Pakistani Taliban the main militant group.
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently told the BBC he was still hopeful his peace initiative with the Taliban could succeed.Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif recently told the BBC he was still hopeful his peace initiative with the Taliban could succeed.
But little headway has been made since February and there have been frequent violent clashes.But little headway has been made since February and there have been frequent violent clashes.
Karachi has been a target for many insurgent attacks.Karachi has been a target for many insurgent attacks.
Gunmen attacked the Mehran naval base there in 2011, killing 10 personnel and destroying two aircraft in a 17-hour siege.Gunmen attacked the Mehran naval base there in 2011, killing 10 personnel and destroying two aircraft in a 17-hour siege.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected? If it is safe to do so you can contact us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Karachi' in the subject heading.Are you in the area? Have you been affected? If it is safe to do so you can contact us by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using 'Karachi' in the subject heading.