BKIA in the lens: CAA, PIA, police reject reports of attack on aircraft
Examination of the plane, pilot’s statement both negate any assault
PESHAWAR:
Authorities at Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA) have strongly condemned media reports of an attack on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane near BKIA early Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday, several television channels had claimed a PIA flight carrying passengers from Abu Dhabi reportedly came under fire near Suleman Khel minutes before it safely landed at BKIA.
“See, unless the pilot reports something to the control tower or to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), we can never confirm any mishap in or outside the plane,” BKIA Peshawar Manager Tahir Sikandar told The Express Tribune. “The reports were totally baseless.”
Sikandar said the CAA launched an enquiry based on the media reports, however, none among the police, air force or armed forces could confirm the incident. Airport operations functioned as per routine, he added.
The aircraft was examined thoroughly and the pilot was questioned, “but they failed to find a single mark on the plane and the pilot also confirmed the plane was not attacked,” said the airport manager.
“We take action once we find something suspicious on the plane’s body or if the pilot reports any incident,” said Sikandar. The incident is being investigated nonetheless.
PIA spokesperson Mashood Tajwar told The Express Tribune, “Had the plane been hit, it would have never flown to Riyadh on the same day.”
When contacted, Senior Superintendent Police Operations Najeebur Rehman also confirmed the same.
On June 24, unidentified gunmen opened fire at a PIA passenger plane while it was landing at BKIA. The gun attack resulted in the death of a passenger and injuries to two others, including a crew member.
In the aftermath, almost all international airlines had suspended their services at the airport due to security concerns. However, they resumed operations shortly afterwards.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2014.
Authorities at Bacha Khan International Airport (BKIA) have strongly condemned media reports of an attack on a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) passenger plane near BKIA early Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday, several television channels had claimed a PIA flight carrying passengers from Abu Dhabi reportedly came under fire near Suleman Khel minutes before it safely landed at BKIA.
“See, unless the pilot reports something to the control tower or to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), we can never confirm any mishap in or outside the plane,” BKIA Peshawar Manager Tahir Sikandar told The Express Tribune. “The reports were totally baseless.”
Sikandar said the CAA launched an enquiry based on the media reports, however, none among the police, air force or armed forces could confirm the incident. Airport operations functioned as per routine, he added.
The aircraft was examined thoroughly and the pilot was questioned, “but they failed to find a single mark on the plane and the pilot also confirmed the plane was not attacked,” said the airport manager.
“We take action once we find something suspicious on the plane’s body or if the pilot reports any incident,” said Sikandar. The incident is being investigated nonetheless.
PIA spokesperson Mashood Tajwar told The Express Tribune, “Had the plane been hit, it would have never flown to Riyadh on the same day.”
When contacted, Senior Superintendent Police Operations Najeebur Rehman also confirmed the same.
On June 24, unidentified gunmen opened fire at a PIA passenger plane while it was landing at BKIA. The gun attack resulted in the death of a passenger and injuries to two others, including a crew member.
In the aftermath, almost all international airlines had suspended their services at the airport due to security concerns. However, they resumed operations shortly afterwards.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2014.