Death Toll Rises to 36, in Brazen Taliban Attack at Pakistan’s Karachi Airport  · Global Voices
Sana Saleem

Karachi Airport employees being escorted out of Jinnah International Airport. Photo tweeted by @Dawn_com
Last update at 04:50 GMT, June 10.
Following hours of digging, seven more bodies were recovered from a collapsed cold storage facility at Karachi's Jinnah International, 32 hours after militants launched their six-hour siege at Pakistan's busiest airport, bringing the death toll from the brazen attack to 36.
A few hours after the Pakistan military had cleared the airport of militants, Pakistani journalist Noman Ahmed reported that 7 employees with the shipping company Gerry's were still stuck in a warehouse at the airport that partially collapsed during the assault.
Seven staffers have reportedly been trapped inside its cold storage since last night. #KarachiAirportAttack [2/2] pic.twitter.com/Y3Tv18DnkC
— Noman Ahmed (@n0man) June 9, 2014
According to Pakistan's leading English daily Dawn, the employees had taken refuge in the cold-storage facility to escape the carnage, but a wall of the warehouse collapsed trapping them. They were in contact with their family during the attack:
“We are looking into this and according to the families some seven people were trapped inside the cold storage and were in contact with the families on cell phone,” said Abid Qaimkhani, a spokesman for CAA (Civil Aviation Authority). Earlier last night, the families of the seven airport workers had blocked Shahra e Faisal [main road] demanding that authorities work towards freeing their relatives who were trapped.
The militants reportedly entered from an old terminal reserved for cargo and VIP movement, with fake Airport Security Force IDs, automatic weapons, grenades and RPGs. The airport reopened for travel, 17 hours after the initial attack.
Good Evening WORLD, thank you for your tweets, concern, questions, criticism & patience. #Jinnah Airport is LIVE & BACK! #Pakistan
— CAA Pakistan (@AirportPakistan) June 9, 2014
The 6-hour siege which started in the late hours of Sunday June 8, left 28 people dead, 10 of whom were militants. No passengers was killed in the brazen attack. Eighteen people from the airport staff, Pakistan's national airline and security forces were also killed.
The Siege
Just before 5 am, Pakistan time, the military's chief spokesman tweeted that the last of the attackers had been killed. The spokesman was giving live updates of the military operation at the airport throughout the night.
#Kci Update:Remaining 4 terrorists also killed in gunfight, bringing the total killed to 10,Alhamdulillah- at 0435.
— AsimBajwaISPR (@AsimBajwaISPR) June 8, 2014
The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan have claimed responsibility for the brazen attack saying it was revenge for the army's air strikes along the Afghan border.
One suicide bomber blew himself up during the attack. All passengers who were stranded in aircrafts during the siege were safely moved into the main terminal building after the initial siege ended. Militants also damaged three empty parked airplanes.
Photo tweeted by Twitter user @ahsannagi #KarachiAirport. “Pic by a friend stuck there – M. Qasim. #Rangers can be seen at the Airport”
Live tweets from on the runway
This Twitter user – Syed Saim Rizvi – was stranded on an Emirates plane at the airport during the siege:
I have no words for emirates staff! They are fully in fear but trying to serve us & trying to normalize passengers . SSG com chambered now
— Syed Saim A. Rizvi (@saim_riz) June 8, 2014
Huge blast !!!!!! I do not know whats going on out side — heavy firing started again – full panic on board !
— Syed Saim A. Rizvi (@saim_riz) June 8, 2014
Earlier he tweeted:
I am still in the plane – emirates staff ordered earlier to off load all passengers but now we have to stay on board. Heavy firing & blasts
— Syed Saim A. Rizvi (@saim_riz) June 8, 2014
How the attack unfolded
Flight operations are suspended at #Jinnah International Airport of #Karachi after escalating security issues. Please call 114 for details.
— CAA Pakistan (@AirportPakistan) June 8, 2014
Karachi Airport under siege as number of attacker are between 15-20. Emergency Declared at All Airports # Pakistan
— Dr Shahid Masood (@Shahidmasooddr) June 8, 2014
Commandos&terrorists exchanging fire at the moment.Still hearing from neighborhood.No of terrorists said 2 be btw 10 to 15. #KarachiAirport— Najia Ashar (@najiaashar) June 8, 2014
Amidst all the madness, my prayers for the families of the ASF, PIA and CAA staffers who lost their lives in the attack on JIAP. #Karachi
— Yusra Askari (@YusraSAskari) June 8, 2014
Most importantly, there are still passengers inside an aircraft on the tarmac. #KarachiAirportAttack
— Ali Dayan Hasan (@AliDayan) June 8, 2014
3 terrorists inside the premises. Sound of blasts.Hope everyone stays safe #KarachiAirportAttack — afia salam (@afiasalam) June 8, 2014
While the attack and the operation was underway some praised the Twitter account @AirportPakistan:
@AirportPakistan is textbook case of how authorities should use social media in crisis situation to give out information & tackle rumours.
— Rezaul Hasan Laskar (@Rezhasan) June 8, 2014
Most accurate and timely information regarding flight schedules and diversions from @AirportPakistan
— Zahra Hidayatullah (@ZHidayatullah) June 8, 2014
History repeats itself?
Some people compared the latest attack at Karachi's airport to the Mehran Naval Base attack that happened in Karachi in 2011.
Are we Witnessing #MehranBase Attack 2 #Karachi #Airport #KarachiairportAttack — Kamal Faridi (@KamalFaridi) June 8, 2014
In previous attack (mehran base) they took two days to clear the premises…. It covers ten times the area of Mehran Base….!!
— Abdullah Mukaddam (@AbMukaddam) June 8, 2014
While media channels were reporting on the military operation, some complained about lack of security around the airport area.
GHQ attack, Mehran Naval Base attack,PAF Kamra Base attack, Khi Airport attack but don't worry, we have the world's best intelligence agency
— Maham Ali (@Mahamali05) June 8, 2014
Inside job at #karachiairport Cargo terminal under attack like mehran base 5-6 control over runway Amazing security conditions in #pakistan
— Suo motu (@theboilingfrogs) June 8, 2014
So Bold Leader: “Nawaz Sharif directs DG Rangers to ensure safety of all passengers at #Karachi airport”
— Fasi Zaka (@fasi_zaka) June 8, 2014
Irresponsible reporting
Unfortunately, as is typical of breaking news coverage, there were conflicting reports regarding the number of attackers, as well as other rumors regarding a plane being burned down or hijacked, here are some reactions from Twitter in response to shoddy media reports:
Someone tell our media the first rule of engagement is not to reveal ure forces positions #untrained #onairlunacy #KhiAirportattack
— FK (@faisalkapadia) June 8, 2014
Media MUST take a step back NOW!Do not disclose troop movement or give speculative news #KarachiAirportAttack — afia salam (@afiasalam) June 8, 2014
Stupid Media reporting false news abt karachi airport ,,,plane has Not been hijacked ,they r now undercover by the police #MainstreamMedia
— Osama Khan (@Osama_Mufc7) June 8, 2014
Media is showing every single detail in real time ( live ). Isn't it supposed to hide some of the information? #karachiAirport #Karachi
— Dexter (@dextershani) June 8, 2014
“@AnasMallick: NO airplane has been hijacked nor any terrorist have entered any empty airplane. #KarachiAirportAttack
— Samra Muslim (@samramuslim) June 8, 2014