250 held in search for plane attack suspects

[Leader]

250 held in search for plane attack suspects

After a gun attack on a PIA plane on Tuesday night that left a passenger dead and two crew members injured, flights resumed at Peshawar’s Bacha Khan International Airport on Wednesday.

However, an international airline announced that it was suspending its operations for the airport.

Meanwhile, police rounded up about 250 people during an intense cordon and search operation carried out in areas around the airport by police and other security agencies.

Pakistan International Airlines Airbus A-310, carrying 196 passengers and 10 crew members from Riyadh, came under fire while landing at the airport shortly before midnight.

The Dubai-based Emirates airline said it was suspending flights to Peshawar till further notice, while the Abu Dhabi-based Etihad said it had cancelled one flight on Wednesday and was assessing the security situation.

But airport manager Tahir Sikandar said flights would continue as scheduled and he was not aware of suspension of operations by any airline. “I have been assured by all airlines that operations would continue as scheduled.”

A large number of Pakhtuns work in the Gulf and the Middle East, making Peshawar one of the most attractive destinations for airlines from the region.

PIA spokesman Tajwar Mashood said a bullet pierced through a window and fatally hit the woman from Nowshera who was sitting next to it. One of the injured crew members was discharged from hospital, while the other underwent an arm surgery and was in a stable condition in the Combined Military Hospital, the spokesman said.

He said the flight was in the landing mode, flying at a low altitude of 300-400 feet, when it was fired at. Some bullets hit the cover of the engine but the plane landed safely.



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[Al Bhatti]

What does PIA give to the nation in terms of revenues?
What does PIA give it’s customer in terms of value for money and customer service?

Taking into account how much CAA in Pakistan earns from PIA and other local airlines, good to see Emirates has suspended flights to and from Peshawar, I wish to see it all over Pakistan. It will increase the revenue of CAA and airports. Good for the nation as some members on this forum suggested.

 

[Fracker]

I think, there is an Army Base on one side of the Airport, why can't flight land & go from that side? They probably need to double the runway to accommodate both from same side.

I always think Peshawar airport is probably way too small for International flights, Government of KPK should do something for it, or atleast work on Mardan Airport which ANP Plan was almost complete.

 

[nair]

The local news paper (in india) was suggesting the firing happened inside the plane...... But the previous thread and this thread says fired from out side..... But How can some one fire from ground and hit a person thru the window? that too while flying at 400 ft height? The only chance is that poor lady was leaning or was very close to the window and watching outside (which normally people do while take off and landing)