Taliban declares 'full out war' after striking Pakistan's busiest airport again

The latest assault targeted the Airport Security Forces near the Karachi Jinnah International Airport.

15:18 10 June 2014

For the second time in two days, the Taliban has attacked Pakistan's largest and busiest airport. 

 

Tuesday's assault targeted the Airport Security Forces that resulted in the airport being totally shut down.  As yet, there are no official figures as to how many have died or detailed information on how the militants carried their most recent attack. 

 

However, CNN's Saima Moshin said that at least 30 ambulances rushed to the scene. 

 

Taliban spokesman Shadidullah Shahid said that this will not be the last. "This wave of attacks will be continuing in retaliation for the shelling and atrocities of the government."

 

Another member declared that a "full-out war with the Pakistani state" started as of June 10th – an indication that the first attack which came before that date was merely an unofficial warm-up. 

 

On Sunday, 10 militants attacked the airport’s cargo area that resulted in the death of 36 people. The Taliban, who also claimed responsibility for the first attack, said that it was their response to the US drone strike in November that killed one of their leaders. 

 

Meanwhile, Raza Rumi of the Jinnah Institute, a Pakistani think tank, said: "Their primary target is the Pakistani state and its military."

 

"It resents the fact that (Pakistan) has an alliance with the West, and it wants Sharia to be imposed in Pakistan."