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More than 20 people were killed and others injured as gunmen disguised as security staff stormed the VIP terminal at Karachi airport in Pakistan last night.
The attackers set fire to cargo, but no aircraft were damaged, officials on the scene said.
Fighting continued into the early hours of today (Monday) after the Pakistani army arrived on the scene.
All operations at the terminal remain suspended and all flights are being diverted to other airports.
The army said 10 gunmen stormed the airport in two teams of five on Sunday night.
They threw grenades and fired at security guards in the old terminal, which is now only used for cargo and VIP operations.
Seven of the attackers were later shot dead during a gun battle which lasted until about 4.30am local time. Another three detonated their explosives.
Pakistan’s Taliban has claimed responsibility for the attack.
“We carried out this attack on the Karachi airport and it is a message to the Pakistan government that we are still alive to react over the killings of innocent people in bomb attacks on their villages,” Taliban spokesman Shahidullah Shahid was quoted as saying by Reuters.
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “There are reports of an attack by gunmen at Jinnah international airport in Karachi. A number of casualties have been reported. The airport is closed until further notice.”
The BBC has reported this morning that gunfire at the airport has resumed.