News / Pakistan

Gunmen raid airport in Pakistan, kill one person, abduct another

Sunday, 30 August 2015 9:50 AM [ Last Update: Sunday, 30 August 2015 9:50 AM ]

This file photo shows members of Pakistani Marri Baloch tribe in an undisclosed location in Balochistan, southern Pakistan. ©AFP

Pakistani officials say at least one person has been killed and another abducted when gunmen stormed a small airport in Pakistan’s southwestern province of Balochistan.

Pakistan Civil Aviation spokesman Pervez George said the gunmen attacked the radar system at the Jiwani airport early Sunday.

Abdul Hameed Abro, the deputy commissioner of the city of Gwadar, said a group of about 12 assailants attacked the airport at around 4:30 a.m. local time on Sunday (2330 GMT Saturday), killing an aviation engineer identified as Khalidullah and injuring another official, Altaf Hussain.

The gunmen later took way the chief of the airport, Mehmood Niazi, and fled the scene on board motorcycles.

Aviation authorities said the attack caused some damage to the radar system.

Security forces immediately rushed to the area, and started an operation to hunt down the assailants.

No individual or militant group has claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistani authorities, however, blame such assaults in the region on Baloch separatists.

Balochistan is largely known for its rich gas and mineral resources, but also for its widespread anti-government militancy. Pakistan accuses neighboring India of having a hand in the militancy, with some describing it as New Delhi’s response to Islamabad’s alleged interference in Kashmir.

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