Taliban claim responsibility for Karachi airport attack

KARACHI, Pakistan, June 9 (UPI) -- The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for an attack at the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi on Sunday, which killed 28 people.

Pakistani Taliban commander Abdullah Bahar said the attack was in retaliation for the death of former chief Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in November in North Waziritstan.

Ten militants stormed the airport late Sunday night, killing eight members of airport security forces, two Pakistan International Airlines employees and one ranger. Seven other airport employees were also killed.

All 10 militants died, including two who detonated suicide vests, military spokesman Maj. Gen. Asim Bajwa.

Twenty-four people were injured in the attack and one building was set on fire.

Flights resumed at the airport by midday Monday once it was cleared of militants, security officials said.