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Karachi airport: Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan claims attack | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Uzbek militants fighting with the Pakistani Taliban say they carried out Sunday's deadly assault on Karachi's international airport. | |
The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan posted photos of 10 men in black turbans holding AK-47s who had sought revenge for military air strikes. | |
At least 39 people were killed in the airport raid, including all 10 gunmen. | |
DNA tests are being conducted on the gunmen, who officials in Karachi said appeared to be of Uzbek origin. | |
The BBC's Shahzeb Jillani in Islamabad says the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) is a highly trained militant group, with bases in the North Waziristan tribal region. | |
It works closely with al-Qaeda and Taliban militants and has previously carried out large-scale co-ordinated attacks in Pakistan, including one on Peshawar airport in 2012. | |
In its statement the group said the Karachi raid was to avenge military air strikes in Pakistani tribal areas last month which it alleged had killed women and children. | |
Sunday's assault was followed by a second gun attack near the airport on Tuesday, raising tensions in Karachi further. Gunmen shot at a security camp outside the airport perimeter but there were no casualties. | |
The violence follows a major split in the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and faltering peace talks with the government. | |
'Crush terrorism' | 'Crush terrorism' |
Pakistan's leaders met to discuss security and official sources spoke of a resolve to crush terrorism with an iron hand, the BBC's Mike Wooldridge in Karachi reports. | |
Further pre-emptive military strikes in an attempt to forestall more Taliban attacks could be on the cards, our correspondent adds. | Further pre-emptive military strikes in an attempt to forestall more Taliban attacks could be on the cards, our correspondent adds. |
The Pakistani military have been targeting militants in the tribal north-west but it is still not clear whether a broader military offensive in the Taliban stronghold of North Waziristan could be given the political go-ahead. | |
Local media said the meeting authorised the army to carry out "appropriate action" against terrorist groups. | Local media said the meeting authorised the army to carry out "appropriate action" against terrorist groups. |
Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had pledged peace talks with the TTP during his election campaign. | Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had pledged peace talks with the TTP during his election campaign. |
Talks began in March, but little progress has been made and violence has continued. | Talks began in March, but little progress has been made and violence has continued. |
'Brazen attack' | 'Brazen attack' |
Taliban gunmen attacked an area of Karachi's Jinnah international airport late on Sunday, opening fire and hurling grenades. | Taliban gunmen attacked an area of Karachi's Jinnah international airport late on Sunday, opening fire and hurling grenades. |
Security forces gained control following an overnight battle, and the airport reopened late on Monday. | Security forces gained control following an overnight battle, and the airport reopened late on Monday. |
On Tuesday, gunmen on motorbikes shot at a security training camp just outside the airport before fleeing. | On Tuesday, gunmen on motorbikes shot at a security training camp just outside the airport before fleeing. |
The Taliban have declared in statements that the wave of attacks will continue. | The Taliban have declared in statements that the wave of attacks will continue. |
Correspondents say residents in Karachi have been shocked by the brazenness of Sunday's airport attack. | Correspondents say residents in Karachi have been shocked by the brazenness of Sunday's airport attack. |
Pakistan has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, with the Pakistani Taliban the main militant grouping. | Pakistan has been fighting an Islamist insurgency for more than a decade, with the Pakistani Taliban the main militant grouping. |
Early on Tuesday the Pakistani military carried out air strikes in tribal areas in the north-west Khyber region, killing at least 15 militants, officials say. | Early on Tuesday the Pakistani military carried out air strikes in tribal areas in the north-west Khyber region, killing at least 15 militants, officials say. |
Who are the Pakistani Taliban? | Who are the Pakistani Taliban? |
• With its roots in the Afghan Taliban, the Pakistani Tehreek-e-Taliban movement came to the fore in 2007 by unleashing a wave of violence | • With its roots in the Afghan Taliban, the Pakistani Tehreek-e-Taliban movement came to the fore in 2007 by unleashing a wave of violence |
• Its leaders have traditionally been based in Pakistan's tribal areas but it is really a loose affiliation of militant groups, some based in areas like Punjab and even Karachi | • Its leaders have traditionally been based in Pakistan's tribal areas but it is really a loose affiliation of militant groups, some based in areas like Punjab and even Karachi |
• The various Taliban groups have different attitudes to talks with the government - some analysts say this has led to divisions in the movement | • The various Taliban groups have different attitudes to talks with the government - some analysts say this has led to divisions in the movement |
• Collectively they are responsible for the deaths of thousands of Pakistanis and have also co-ordinated assaults on numerous security targets | • Collectively they are responsible for the deaths of thousands of Pakistanis and have also co-ordinated assaults on numerous security targets |
• Two former TTP leaders, Baitullah Mehsud and Hakimullah Mehsud, as well as many senior commanders have been killed in US drone strikes | • Two former TTP leaders, Baitullah Mehsud and Hakimullah Mehsud, as well as many senior commanders have been killed in US drone strikes |
• It is unclear if current leader Maulana Fazlullah, who comes from outside the tribal belt, is even in Pakistan, but he has a reputation for ruthlessness | • It is unclear if current leader Maulana Fazlullah, who comes from outside the tribal belt, is even in Pakistan, but he has a reputation for ruthlessness |
Media demand action over airport attack | Media demand action over airport attack |