DHAKA: The Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack at Karachi airport in Pakistan. 

Security forces said they have relaunched a military operation at Karachi airport as gunfire resumed several hours after they announced the end of a militant siege that left 24 dead on Monday. 

Fresh gunfire was reported from the airport and a loud explosion was also heard across its premises.

Security forces said that the intensity of the explosion heard across the airport was still uncertain.

The initial assault at the Jinnah International Airport began late Sunday and raged until dawn, when the military said that all 10 militants had been killed.

Equipped with suicide vests, grenades and rocket launchers, they had battled security forces in one of the most brazen attacks in years in Pakistan's biggest city. Among the 14 victims were security personnel and four airport workers.

The attack all but destroys prospects for significant peace talks with the government of Nawaz Sharif, who came to power last year promising to find a negotiated solution to years of violence.

Peace talks between the government and the Pakistani Taliban have failed in recent months, dampening hopes of reaching a negotiated settlement with the insurgency, which continues attacks against government and security targets.

** Islamabad, Lahore airports on red alert

Source: Dawn.com

BDST: 1209 HRS, JUN 09, 2014