Karachi airport under attack
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Southeast,UK
Age: 45
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Karachi airport under attack
Developing news according to some news channels, Karachi airport old terminal one is under attack by some terrorists. Channels are showing thick smoke from a distance. All flights are diverted to alternate airports.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Southeast,UK
Age: 45
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
More on this from BBC
BBC News - Gunmen attack Karachi's Jinnah International Airport
BBC News - Gunmen attack Karachi's Jinnah International Airport
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Monrovia / Liberia
Age: 63
Posts: 757
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This was so predictable!
http://rt.com/news/164604-pakistan-airport-attack-dead/
And especially so when we get 'Flight Crew Notices', such as this one (issued to us on 12th February 2014), demonstrating yet another instalment of incompetent nonsense from Pakistan's airport security regimen:
You really couldn't make it up!! 
http://rt.com/news/164604-pakistan-airport-attack-dead/
And especially so when we get 'Flight Crew Notices', such as this one (issued to us on 12th February 2014), demonstrating yet another instalment of incompetent nonsense from Pakistan's airport security regimen:
We have received notification from the Ministry of Defence Airport Security Forces in Karachi that the validity of all categories of Airport Entry Passes / Vehicle Stickers for Karachi airport that expired at the end of 2011, have been extended up to 15th August ‘14.
This means that as you are checking airport staff Airport Passes in Karachi prior to allowing entry into our aircraft you may find that they have an expiry date of 31 December 2011. Be advised that those passes are valid until 15th August 2014.
This means that as you are checking airport staff Airport Passes in Karachi prior to allowing entry into our aircraft you may find that they have an expiry date of 31 December 2011. Be advised that those passes are valid until 15th August 2014.
Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Dublin, Ireland
Posts: 1,879
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Latest reports (via Airliners.net and Twitter) are that an Emirates flight has been hijacked. Three airliners have been destroyed: a PIA aircraft, an Airblue aircraft and a third aircraft, belonging to an international airline.
Developing story; fighting still ongoing and difficult to get firm reports, but the situation does seem to be getting more serious by the minute.
Developing story; fighting still ongoing and difficult to get firm reports, but the situation does seem to be getting more serious by the minute.
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Double Oak, Texas
Age: 71
Posts: 180
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Doubt it has anything to to with "religion" but odds on favorite is likely Islamic extremist insurgency of Pakistani homegrown militants, in conflict for years in Pakistan.
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Queensland
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
probing attack
The Taliban have a much greater capability than is demonstrated by this attack, but it is sufficiently significant to require planning and approval from the highest level. The conclusions are that it makes a political statement, improves Taliban morale and provides valuable inteligence re defense of the airport and other major targets.
The final destination is sharia law with terrorist access to Pakistan's atomic weapons.
The final destination is sharia law with terrorist access to Pakistan's atomic weapons.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Posts: 665
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
How things have changed.... When we overnighted at Karachi back in the early 90s, we had a departure time around 2am, which involved driving through the streets from the crew hotel just after midnight.
It was not uncommon for the two major players to be trading automatic fire on the streets at that hour of the night. However, in those days, they were only interested in shooting each other. So the company fix to keep all us pink-skinned infidels safe was to leave the interior lights in the crew bus on so that both sides could see were were infidels and not fighters of the other side, the theory (which seemed to work then) being that neither side would shoot at a bus they knew was carrying foreigners.
As I said... how things have changed. Today, I suspect each side would be vying to be the ones to take a few infidels as hostages.
Even back then, the same idea didn't apply while airborne - we were instructed to stay above 3500' AGL on approach until clear of the suburbs, as there were frequent reports of bored gunmen of either side taking potshots at passing aircraft.
I suppose we should all be grateful to Michel Kalashnikov for making his Model 47, with its 7.62mm short round, everyman's weapon of choice in that part of the world. If the buggers were still sporting Lee Enfields, we might have had to stay a damn sight higher and might have taken a few hits.
I can recall reading that more than a few RAF pilots died when hit in their aircraft while airborne back in the 1920s and 30s by tribesman firing single shot Lee Enfields at their aircraft. Anyone with an even passing knowledge of ground to air gunnery will tell you that that's seriously good shooting.
Back to the current events in Karachi, I find myself agreeing with John Hill. Those 'rescued' by Pakistani special forces could quite possibly be in more danger than those not under their 'protection'.
It was not uncommon for the two major players to be trading automatic fire on the streets at that hour of the night. However, in those days, they were only interested in shooting each other. So the company fix to keep all us pink-skinned infidels safe was to leave the interior lights in the crew bus on so that both sides could see were were infidels and not fighters of the other side, the theory (which seemed to work then) being that neither side would shoot at a bus they knew was carrying foreigners.
As I said... how things have changed. Today, I suspect each side would be vying to be the ones to take a few infidels as hostages.
Even back then, the same idea didn't apply while airborne - we were instructed to stay above 3500' AGL on approach until clear of the suburbs, as there were frequent reports of bored gunmen of either side taking potshots at passing aircraft.
I suppose we should all be grateful to Michel Kalashnikov for making his Model 47, with its 7.62mm short round, everyman's weapon of choice in that part of the world. If the buggers were still sporting Lee Enfields, we might have had to stay a damn sight higher and might have taken a few hits.
I can recall reading that more than a few RAF pilots died when hit in their aircraft while airborne back in the 1920s and 30s by tribesman firing single shot Lee Enfields at their aircraft. Anyone with an even passing knowledge of ground to air gunnery will tell you that that's seriously good shooting.
Back to the current events in Karachi, I find myself agreeing with John Hill. Those 'rescued' by Pakistani special forces could quite possibly be in more danger than those not under their 'protection'.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Australia
Age: 74
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ABC Report
This report includes an embedded video report. At the time of the report, no aircraft destroyed, but apparently there is another flare-up occurring now.
Heavily armed militants launch deadly attack on Pakistan's Karachi airport - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Heavily armed militants launch deadly attack on Pakistan's Karachi airport - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: ...
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Karachi airport under attack
When the Tamil Tigers attacked Colombo airport, three or four aircraft were literally riddled with bullet holes - of the calibre the police and army were using. Five will get you ten that the same will be found to apply at Karachi.
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Statement from THAI regarding this attacked on their facebook.
THAI Statement on Flight from Karachi to Bangkok
The Corporate Image and Communications Department of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) made a statement regarding the gunmen attack on Terminal 1, Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan on Sunday, 8 June 2014 at 23.00 hours (local time). As a result of the situation, all flight operations are suspended as the airport is temporary closed for 24 hours, including THAI flight TG508 that was scheduled to depart from Karachi at 23.50 hours (local time) on the route Muscat-Karachi-Bangkok. As the flight was unable to depart for Bangkok, THAI escorted 296 passengers including three Thai passengers and 16 flight crew to rest in the highly secure airport lounge at Jinnah International Airport. THAI’s aircraft remains parked at Jinnah International Airport and is safe under a high security. Further progress will be reported.
THAI flight TG508, operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the route Muscat-Karachi-Bangkok, is scheduled to depart from Muscat at 20.05 hours (local time), arrives in Karachi at 22.50 hours (local time), departs from Karachi at 23.50 hours, and arrives in Bangkok at 06.40 hours (local time). A total of 33 passengers are scheduled to travel in Business Class, 257 passengers in Economy Class, and 6 infants, with 16 flight crew.
The Corporate Image and Communications Department of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) made a statement regarding the gunmen attack on Terminal 1, Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, Pakistan on Sunday, 8 June 2014 at 23.00 hours (local time). As a result of the situation, all flight operations are suspended as the airport is temporary closed for 24 hours, including THAI flight TG508 that was scheduled to depart from Karachi at 23.50 hours (local time) on the route Muscat-Karachi-Bangkok. As the flight was unable to depart for Bangkok, THAI escorted 296 passengers including three Thai passengers and 16 flight crew to rest in the highly secure airport lounge at Jinnah International Airport. THAI’s aircraft remains parked at Jinnah International Airport and is safe under a high security. Further progress will be reported.
THAI flight TG508, operated with Airbus A330-300 aircraft on the route Muscat-Karachi-Bangkok, is scheduled to depart from Muscat at 20.05 hours (local time), arrives in Karachi at 22.50 hours (local time), departs from Karachi at 23.50 hours, and arrives in Bangkok at 06.40 hours (local time). A total of 33 passengers are scheduled to travel in Business Class, 257 passengers in Economy Class, and 6 infants, with 16 flight crew.
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Two hundred baro
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The Taliban have claimed responsibility. The 5 Taliban released in exchange for the American soldier recently are now living in Qatar, along with around twenty of their cohorts BBC News - How Qatar came to host the Taliban . As the national airline of Qatar is government owned, we now have the owners of a major international airline openly supporting a group who blow up airports. Pretty bizarre.
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK Manchester
Age: 40
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think one of the bbc reports said apparently there were no damage to any of the aircraft and that the airport would be back to operating normal
soon. I am not sure I would be as confident as those that said that, particularly with having had bullets flying around for the day.
soon. I am not sure I would be as confident as those that said that, particularly with having had bullets flying around for the day.
I am not sure I would be as confident as those that said that, particularly with having had bullets flying around for the day.
