PHOTO: REUTERS
Gunmen armed with automatic weapons attacked Jiwani airport near Balochistan’s Gwadar district, killing two, officials said.
Up to a dozen attackers torched navigation equipment at Jiwani airport in Gwadar district before entering the building, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said.
“The attackers entered the building and killed a superintendent and injured a supervisor critically,” spokesperson Pervez George told AFP.
“Around 12 armed men on six motorcycles attacked the airport at around 4:30am killing a CAA engineer,” Gwadar Deputy Commissioner Abdul Hameed Abro said quoting SHO Jiwani.
“The assailants also kidnapped airport manager, Mehmood Niazi.” Later during the day, Niazi’s body was found from near the airport.
Further, the deputy commissioner said, “The airport radar system was also destroyed in the attack.”
Read: One killed in attack on Pasni radar installation
The airport has not been in use for the past 20 years.
Abdul Hameed Abro, a senior government official in Gwadar, confirmed the incident and told AFP that security forces had launched a search operation to recover the engineer and find the attackers.
Meerak Baloch, a spokesperson for the Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack in a telephone call to AFP.
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch condemned the attack and asked Mekran commissioner for a report probing the incident. ”Those responsible for the attack will be traced and punished,” he added.
The attack came three days after Pakistan on Thursday issued a high security alert for all the major airports in the country and asked smaller airports to remain vigilant, an official said.
The official said all airports in Balochistan were put on high alert after the attack and had boosted security.
Airports remain under constant threat as the country’s fighter jets launch airstrikes against militants from these bases.
Last June, 10 Taliban militants laid siege to Karachi airport, killing 27 people. The military responded by launching a major offensive in the North Waziristan tribal district, considered a bastion of Taliban and al Qaeda militants.
Further, last year, a group of armed men disguised in security forces’ uniform attacked the international radar in the coastal town of Pasni, Gwadar killing one Balochistan Constabulary official and injuring another.










poor india so despo!! No matter what you do, Balouchis are coming on table for peaceful talks. Look for other countries for proxy wars. We are learning from our mistake and solving our problems while you stick to your old tricks of creating disruption which will soon turn violent in your own country. As you sow so shall you reap!! I love the rise of caste issues in india. May it turn more violentRecommend
“Law enforcement agencies personnel have reached the site and started investigation into the incident.’
It means may be the site was not fully secured and protected?Recommend
This seems so so obvious. Right after Bramdagh Bughti calls for talks and giving up call for separatist move, this happens.
Clearly shows and external hand who don’t want to see peace in Pakistan.
Hint: Look to the East.Recommend
This is a reflection on Baluchistan CM who was handpicked by Nawaz Sharif. This is also a reflection on pathetic security arrangements by Dr Malik and Qaim Shah. No coordination. Jiwani is closer to Karachi.The terrorists pick targets at will and did this job in complete comfort as there was no interruption because other was no security in place.What a shame for PML N and PPPZ!Recommend
Baluchi separatists attacking the state. Killing innocent civilians would only make their cause weaker.Recommend
Whether India is involved or not, one undisputable fact remains, these are people who are carrying out these attacks. Our main aim should be not to get detracted and capitalize on the opportunities presented to us in the form of separatists’ willingness to give up arms. Recommend
This was done by Israel , Amreeka and India Recommend
You issue the alert. You know it happened before to the Naval Station. Yet you were sleeping? They get away? Pakistan needs to start supporting the same in India. Do same to the India what India is doing to us. Recommend
India must be made to pay.Recommend
I am amazed that people quickly jumped to the conclusion that India was involved though until now we have not seen any independent proof that India is involved in supporting BLA.Recommend
India will ensure that CPEC never comes up.Recommend