Pakistan airport attacked

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PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The airport in Peshawar, Pakistan, came under rocket and gun attack Saturday, leaving at least five people dead and dozens injured, authorities said.

Pakistan Today said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Iftikhar Hussain said at least five rockets were fired, with three falling inside the airport and two hitting buildings and vehicles nearby. The newspaper reported sources said the rockets were followed by heavy gunfire.

Pakistan Today said initial reports were that more than 40 people were injured, including women and children, with sources saying 25 of the injured and five bodies arrived at Khyber Teaching hospital.

Airport security force officials said the airport terminal building was not damaged. The airport is used as a base by the Pakistani air force, as well as by commercial airlines.

Geo News reported the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan terror group took responsibility for the attack, which was repelled by security forces.

"First the attackers breached the airport boundary wall with a car-bomb. Then they fired rockets at the airport to make headway," an unidentified official told Geo News.

"The gun-battle continued until security men neutralized all the attackers."

Sources told the Karachi news channel the bodies of two terrorists wearing suicide vests were found inside the airport.

"Four suicide vests have been defused so far," security sources said.