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Passenger killed in gun attack on Pakistani plane Passenger killed in gun attack on Pakistani plane
(about 2 hours later)
A long-range attack on a commercial aircraft in Pakistan's troubled north-west left one passenger dead and two flight attendants injured late on Tuesday night after gunmen opened fire just as the jet was landing. A long-range attack on a commercial aircraft in Pakistan's troubled north-west has left one passenger dead and two flight attendants injured after gunmen opened fire just as the jet was landing.
The attack in the city of Peshawar is the third on a major airport in two weeks and comes after the government launched a military operation against Taliban sanctuaries in North Waziristan, a tribal agency bordering Afghanistan that has long been a hub for militant groups. The attack in the city of Peshawar on Tuesday night is the third on a major airport in two weeks and comes after the government launched a military operation against Taliban sanctuaries in North Waziristan, a tribal agency bordering Afghanistan that has long been a hub for militant groups.
Officials said the inbound Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Riyadh was hit by at least 10 bullets as it was just above the runway of Bacha Khan international airport in Peshawar, a city that has been racked by steadily intensifying insurgent violence for years.Officials said the inbound Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) flight from Riyadh was hit by at least 10 bullets as it was just above the runway of Bacha Khan international airport in Peshawar, a city that has been racked by steadily intensifying insurgent violence for years.
Three of the almost 200 people on board were hit, while reports said a bullet just missed the captain.Three of the almost 200 people on board were hit, while reports said a bullet just missed the captain.
One female passenger was killed by a shot to the head. Mohammad Kifayatullah Khan, a PIA official, said the woman's daughter was sitting next to her at the time of the attack.One female passenger was killed by a shot to the head. Mohammad Kifayatullah Khan, a PIA official, said the woman's daughter was sitting next to her at the time of the attack.
"When I went inside the plane, I saw the woman lying on the seat and her nine-year-old daughter was crying: 'My mother is dead, my mother is dead,'" said Khan."When I went inside the plane, I saw the woman lying on the seat and her nine-year-old daughter was crying: 'My mother is dead, my mother is dead,'" said Khan.
"All the passengers were panicked. Some of them wanted to get out as soon as possible because they were afraid of fire inside the plane.""All the passengers were panicked. Some of them wanted to get out as soon as possible because they were afraid of fire inside the plane."
No group claimed responsibility, although the Pakistani Taliban has vowed reprisal attacks following the launch of the North Waziristan operation.No group claimed responsibility, although the Pakistani Taliban has vowed reprisal attacks following the launch of the North Waziristan operation.
Peshawar airport is surrounded by swaths of land that are not considered fully secure. It has been attacked by rockets in the past and in 2012 a squad of suicide fighters assaulted the perimeter.Peshawar airport is surrounded by swaths of land that are not considered fully secure. It has been attacked by rockets in the past and in 2012 a squad of suicide fighters assaulted the perimeter.
Earlier this month a 10-strong team of terrorists fought their way into the country's largest civilian airport in Karachi, destroying two hangers and killing 22 security and ground staff. Earlier this month, a 10-strong team of terrorists fought its way into the country's largest civilian airport in Karachi, destroying two hangers and killing 22 security and ground staff.
Although they failed in their stated aim of trying to capture and destroy commercial airliners, the attack jeopardises government hopes of attracting foreign investment back to Pakistan to help boost its underperforming economy. Although they failed in their stated aim of trying to capture and destroy commercial airliners, the attack has jeopardised government hopes of attracting foreign investment back to Pakistan to help boost its underperforming economy.
The following day Karachi airport was attacked again when gunmen shot at a training centre of the country's Airports Security Force on the perimeter of the airfield. The following day Karachi airport was attacked again when gunmen shot at a training centre of the country's airports security force on the perimeter of the airfield.
Following the attacks Cathay Pacific, one of the few global carriers from outside the Middle East that still flies to Pakistan, announced it had suspended operations to the country. Following the attacks, Cathay Pacific, one of the few global carriers from outside the Middle East that still flies to Pakistan, announced it had suspended operations to the country.