'Foreign hand' cannot be ruled out in Karachi attack: Pervaz Rashid
At least 21 people including Rangers, ASF officials and airport workers were martyred in the attack.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Federal Information Minister Pervez Rashid has said that the forces who want to destabilize Pakistan could be involved in terrorist attack at Karachi airport.
Talking to Dunya News on Monday, he said that the terrorists wanted to take control of the airport. The minister said the security forces bravely responded to the terrorist attack and controlled the situation.
"We very well know about the links of those who oppose peace talks with Taliban", Pervaiz Rashid said. He said those involved in the terrorist attacks were serving the agenda of enemies of Pakistan.
Paying tribute to armed forces, Pervaiz Rashid said that terrorists will be dealt in the same way and no one would be allowed to challenge nge writ of the state.
The minister said that the flight operation at Karachi’s Jinnah International Airport had been resumed after being cleared of militants.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khwaja Asif has said a befitting answer to terrorists would be given and none would dare repeat such an act, he added.
The terrorists have targeted the national assets in their cowardly attack.
The terrorists will be defeated in their own havens, he expressed the resolve, adding that the state will forcefully responds to such acts.
Minister for Railway Khawaja Saad Rafique said the attack on Karachi airport was an attack on national economy.
Talking to newsmen after signing an agreement for transportation of cement and coal with local companies, the minister said those involved in the attack were enemies of Pakistan. He said that such elements would not be tolerated and any plot to destabilize the state would be foiled.
Saad Rafiue said Pakistan Railway is procuring 75 new locomotives and number of freight trains engines would reach 45.
Earlier, Jinnah International Airport in Karachi had been reopened at for passengers after security personnel completed their search operation and declared the area safe.
The attack began just before midnight when 10 gunmen wearing military uniforms shot their way into the airport s old terminal used mainly for charter and executive flights.
At least 21 people including law enforcement personnel and airport workers were martyred in the attack while ten terrorists were also killed in joint operation by Pakistan Army, Rangers, ASF and Karachi police.
The terrorists equipped with suicide vests, hand grenades, RPGs were also killed during 5-hour long clash with the security forces. Gun battles raged through the night until security forces regained control of the airport at dawn.
