Heavy fighting reported at Karachi airport

Group attacks international terminal with guns and grenades, with at least five people killed, medical sources say. Heavily armed gunmen have attacked Jinnah international airport in Karachi with at least five people killed, medical official told Al Jazeera.

According to reports on Sunday, up to six armed men hurled hand grenades and opened fire as they entered the airport. Dr Simi Jamali told Al Jazeera that at least five people, including three airport security force personnel and two Pakistan Airline employees, had been brought into Jinnah hospital from the airport. All local and international flights were suspended. A witness told Al Jazeera by telephone that she could see smoke rising from the airport. Rao Muhammad Anwar, a senior police official, said the attackers were armed with automatic weapons and grenades and were exchanging gunfire with security guards. "Exchange of fire is continuing. We don't know the exact number of the attackers but suspect four to six terrorists have attacked the airport," he told the AFP news agency. The attack happened at a terminal not generally used for commercial flights but for VIP flights, the AP news agency reported.