Pakistani acting president condemns suicide attack at Islamabad Airport

Pakistan's acting President Mohammadmian Soomro on Tuesday strongly condemned the suicide attack in the parking area of the Islamabad international airport and termed it a terrorist act.

The official APP news agency quoted him as saying that the government was determined to root out terrorism and added it was condemnable as innocent people became the victims of the attack.

He directed the administration of the local hospitals to ensure best possible medical treatment to those who were injured in the attack.

Pakistani President General Pervez Musharraf left on Monday for a visit to Iran and Turkey.

The Islamabad international airport was closed on Tuesday night after shooting and explosion at its VIP parking entrance, according to local press reports.

No flights taking off or landing will be allowed for the moment at the airport of the Pakistani capital, said the reports.

Police officer Syed Marwat Shah told the media that the incident occurred at 8:50 p.m. (1750GMT) on Tuesday when police tried to stop a suspected attacker who attempted to force into the VIP parking section.

The attacker opened fire and police returned fire, according to Shah. During the firing, a grenade with the attacker fell down and exploded killing the attacker and injuring one policeman and two guards.

The attacker came to the airport gate in a rent car but walked into the airport. The taxi driver was later detained by police for interrogation.

The roads to the Islamabad airport were blocked and the armymen were reaching the airport. Security has been beefed up in major airports around the country.

This is the sixth suicide attack in Pakistan and the second in Islamabad in 10 days.

On Jan. 26, a suicide bomber attacked a five-star hotel in the Pakistani capital of Islamabad, killing two persons including himself and injured seven others.

Source: Xinhua