2012 Bacha Khan International Airport attack

Tehrik-i-Taliban attack in Peshawar, Pakistan November 2022 December 2020 2012 Bacha Khan International Airport attack Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan 33 59 38 N 71 30 53 E inline,title Pakistan Standard Time Pakistan Air Force Base Peshawar 15 December 2012 the War in North-West Pakistan 250 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa#Pakistan 33.59 71.30 Bacha Khan International Airport none center Mass shooting, rocket attack 15 45+ Flag of Tehrik-i-Taliban.svg Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistanhttps://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/world/asia/militants-attack-on-airport-leaves-7-dead-in-pakistan.html Militants' Attack on Airport Leaves 7 Dead in Pakistan The New York Times 15 December 2012 2025-01-31 Pakistan 23px Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police Retaliation against military operations The 2012 Bacha Khan International Airport attack was a coordinated terrorist attack on Bacha Khan International Airport and the adjacent Pakistan Air Force Base (PAF) Peshawar on 15 December 2012 by Tehrik-i-Taliban terrorists in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Background Airport Bacha Khan International AirportBacha Khan International Airport Bacha Khan International Airport is Peshawar's main civilian airport. It also contains the Pakistan Air Force Base of Peshawar. The airport is a major passenger hub of Pakistan and is the fourth busiest airport of the country.Largest airports and airlines in Pakistan https://www.worlddata.info/asia/pakistan/airports.php 2025-01-27 Worlddata.info en The airbase serves as the headquarters for PAF's Northern Air Command.Pakistan AirForce About https://www.paf.gov.pk/about/paf-structure/ 27 January 2025 Pakistan Air Force Previous incidents Bacha Khan International Airport is the most vulnerable strategic airport of Pakistan due to it being near the tribal areas of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan and jointly being used by both Pakistan Air Force and Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority. Bacha Khan International Airport is often considered to be most targeted airport by the terrorist organizations in the world. It had been previously attacked on 26 December 2006 when a bomb planted outside the airport in a car on Khyber Road exploded.Blast rocks Peshawar airport https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2006/12/26/blast-rocks-peshawar-airport-2 2025-01-27 Al Jazeera en Then on 28 April 2007 a small bomb exploded inside airport's canteen with no casualties.2007-04-30 Small Bomb Damages Canteen at Airport in Pakistan https://www.aviationpros.com/home/news/10390066/small-bomb-damages-canteen-at-airport-in-pakistan 2025-01-27 Aviation Pros enKUNA : Small bomb explodes in Peshawar airport canteen, no casualties - Military - 28/04/2007 https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=1728648&language=en 2025-01-27 www.kuna.net.kw In addition to these attacks there were several other attacks near the airport throughout the 21st century. Most of the attacks were done by Tehrik-i-Taliban as a retaliation for the military operations against them.2009-06-09 Deadly bomb attack on Pearl Continental Hotel in Peshawar https://www.france24.com/en/20090609-deadly-bomb-attack-pearl-continental-hotel-peshawar- 2025-01-27 France 24 en Threat of upcoming attack It was speculated that another Pakistan Air Force Base will be attacked since there was a recent attack on Minhas air base on 16 August 2012.2012-08-15 Gunmen storm military air base in Pakistan https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-19278302 2025-01-27 BBC News en-GBSeveral killed in Pakistan airbase raid https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/8/16/several-killed-in-pakistan-airbase-raid 2025-01-27 Al Jazeera en Before the attack, a teenage would-be suicide bomber was also captured by police on the ring road near the airport.riaz.ahmad 2012-11-21 Carnage averted: Bomber boy intercepted, suicide vest removed https://tribune.com.pk/story/469052/carnage-averted-bomber-boy-intercepted-suicide-vest-removed 2025-01-29 The Express Tribune en Police investigation determined that the boy was sent to the airport once before by the terrorist organization.Khan Ismail 2012-12-16 Audacious attack on Peshawar PAF base https://www.dawn.com/news/771632/%E2%80%A2-five-suicide-bombers-killed-%E2%80%A2-taliban-claim-responsibility-audacious-attack-on-peshawar-paf-base 2025-01-29 DAWN.COM en All signs pointed to an upcoming attack due to which security was already heightened at the Bacha Khan Airport.Security heightened at Peshawar Airport https://www.geo.tv/latest/80253-security-heightened-at-peshawar-airport 2025-01-27 www.geo.tv 16 August 2012 en Attack At around 8:30 pm in the night of 15 December 2012, five rockets were fired at the Bacha Khan International Airport.Walsh Declan 2012-12-15 Militants' Attack on Airport Leaves 7 Dead in Pakistan https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/world/asia/militants-attack-on-airport-leaves-7-dead-in-pakistan.html 2025-01-27 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331KUNA : Eight including 4 militants killed in Peshawar airport attack - General - 15/12/2012 https://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2280815&language=en 2025-01-27 www.kuna.net.kw2012-12-15 Terrorists launch rocket attack on Peshawar airport https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/terrorists-launch-rocket-attack-on-peshawar-airport/article4204039.ece 2025-01-27 The Hindu en-IN 0971-751X Three of the rockets struck the outer wall of the airport and the remaining two rockets hit a nearby guest house and a car.2012-12-15 Five killed, 25 injured in rocket attack on Peshawar airport in Pakistan https://www.indiatoday.in/world/pakistan/story/three-rockets-fired-at-peshawar-airport-in-pakistan-124401-2012-12-14 2025-02-07 India Today en The attack was carried out from the western side of the airport which was more vulnerable.Shah Waseem Ahmad 2012-12-16 What makes Peshawar airport a favoured target https://www.dawn.com/news/771626/what-makes-peshawar-airport-a-favoured-target 2025-01-27 DAWN.COM en After penetration of the outer boundary walls, terrorists used two vehicles loaded with automatic weapons and explosives to try to enter the base2012-12-15 Pakistani Taliban claims deadly raid on Peshawar airport https://www.france24.com/en/20121215-pakistan-peshawar-militants-rockets-airport-deadly-attack 2025-01-27 France 24 enPakistan police hunt down airport attackers https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/12/16/gunbattle-follows-pakistan-airport-attack 2025-01-27 Al Jazeera en but one of the vehicle exploded before it could even enter the airport. After which an intense 30 minute gun battle between security forces and the terrorists ensued.Ahmad Jibran December 16, 2012 Nine dead as Taliban attack airport in North West Pakistan https://www.reuters.com/article/world/nine-dead-as-taliban-attack-airport-in-north-west-pakistan-idUSBRE8BE093/ January 27, 2025 Reuters Amidst the attack, a Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) aircraft with passengers on board was parked on the apron of the airport.Walsh Declan 2012-12-15 Militants' Attack on Airport Leaves 7 Dead in Pakistan https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/16/world/asia/militants-attack-on-airport-leaves-7-dead-in-pakistan.html 2025-01-27 The New York Times en-US 0362-4331 The passengers were safely escorted to the airport lounge by security forces.afp 2012-12-15 Three people killed, 46 injured as attack on Peshawar airport repelled https://tribune.com.pk/story/480199/four-people-killed-40-injured-as-attack-on-peshawar-airport-repelled 2025-01-27 The Express Tribune en The crossfire came to an end when 5 of the terrorists were eliminated by security forces and remaining fled from the airport.2012-12-16 Pakistan Battles Militants Following Airport Attack https://www.voanews.com/a/pakistan-battles-militants-following-airport-attack/1565906.html 2025-01-27 Voice of America en Aftermath Bomb disposal Security forces found three suicide vest near the vehicles and eight bombs. Out of the eight bombs five were detonated by the bomb squad after the attack. Police raid On 16 December 2012, the day after the attack, upon receiving hints, police raided a nearby building to the airport where the remaining terrorists had supposedly fled.riaz.ahmad 2012-12-16 Airport attack: Peshawar nightmare ends Sunday afternoon https://tribune.com.pk/story/480713/airport-attack-peshawar-nightmare-ends-sunday-afternoon 2025-01-27 The Express Tribune en As an outcome of the raid, three more terrorist were eliminated in a shootout and another two blew themselves off by detonating their suicide vests. One police commander was also killed and another two were injured. Repairs After the attack, security forces made a temporary curtain to hide the broken portion of the wall, while the wall was being reconstructed. No compensation were given by the government to nearby damaged residential buildings.Shah Waseem Ahmad 2012-12-16 Peshawar in shock after airport attack https://www.dawn.com/news/771793/peshawar-in-shock-after-airport-attack-2 2025-01-29 DAWN.COM en Casualties The airport attack, combined with a subsequent police raid, resulted in 15 fatalities and 48 injuries. Among the deceased were 10 terrorists, 4 civilians, and 1 police officer.Taliban attack at Peshawar airport leaves nine dead https://torontosun.com/2012/12/15/peshawar-airport-attack-leaves-nine-dead https://web.archive.org/web/20211209094114/https://torontosun.com/2012/12/15/peshawar-airport-attack-leaves-nine-dead 9 December 2021 2025-01-31 torontosun en-CA live umer.farooq 2012-12-16 Peshawar airport attack: Flights resume after 17 hours https://tribune.com.pk/story/480661/peshawar-airport-attack-flights-resume-after-17-hours 2025-01-31 The Express Tribune en 23 flights were also halted as the airport remained closed for 17 hours. Responsibility Tehrik-i-Taliban's claim Initially no group claimed responsibility for the attack, but most had their suspicions on Pakistani Taliban. Later, after the attack on the airport, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan did indeed claimed responsibility for the attack. Taliban spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told AFP news agency: "Our target was fighter jets and helicopter gunships and soon we will target them again" from an undisclosed location.Habib Nasir 2012-12-15 Violence rocks Pakistan city; 9 killed https://edition.cnn.com/2012/12/15/world/asia/pakistan-violence/index.html 2025-01-29 CNN enPakistan airport hit by rocket attacks https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2012/12/16/pakistan-airport-hit-by-rocket-attacks 2025-01-29 Al Jazeera en Additionally, Ehsan also stated "We have planned more attacks on Pakistani forces and its installation as it works to please the USA." The assault was reportedly launched from a nearby village named Abdra, according to a PAF spokesman, who added that a joint counter-terrorism operation by several security agencies was under way.22 December 2012 4 killed in rockets attack in Pakistan https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20742260 22 December 2012 BBC News Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan's Involvement The BBC reported that the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU) also played a role in the attack which had found shelter in Southern Waziristan after American led Invasion of Afghanistan.7 October 2014 Pakistan's 'fanatical' Uzbek militants https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-27801257 13 October 2014 BBC NewsPorter Geoff 2015-06-29 The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Opens a Door to the Islamic State https://ctc.westpoint.edu/the-islamic-movement-of-uzbekistan-opens-a-door-to-the-islamic-state/ 2025-02-07 Combating Terrorism Center at West Point en-US Several militants appeared to be members of IMU and were of Chechen descent. One such chechen militant was recognized as a resident of Chechnya due to tattoos on his body.anjum 2012-12-26 Chechen militants behind Peshawar airport attack Pakistan Today https://archive.pakistantoday.com.pk/2012/12/26/chechen-militants-behind-peshawar-airport-attack/ 2025-02-07 en-GB August 2026 InternetArchiveBot Few months after the attack, on March 15, 2013 Pakistan officially declared Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan as a terrorist organization and took major steps to eliminate them from the region.NACTA https://nfs.punjab.gov.pk/Organization https://web.archive.org/web/20210122153611/https://nfs.punjab.gov.pk/Organization 22 January 2021 2025-02-07 nfs.punjab.gov.pk live Saud Adam Ahmad Azhar January 10, 2019 Terrorism and Transnational Groups in Pakistan: A Case Study of Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan https://issi.org.pk/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/3-SS_Adam_Saud_and_Azhar_Ahmad_No-4_2018.pdf Strategic Studies 38 4 1811-9557 Reactions Official statements A statement made by the PAF spokesman Group Captain Tariq Mahmood stated that only the outer wall of the airfield had been damaged and no terrorist penetrated the premises. Defence minister Naveed Qamar said the attack was well planned out and terrorists were heavily armed, however the response by the security forces ensured there had been no damage to property or loss of life within the airport. Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan spokesman Pervez George stated that the airport was closed after the attack began and all flights en route to Peshawar were diverted to Islamabad and Lahore.https://www.dawn.com/news/771536/three-blasts-heard-in-peshawar 9 killed in rockets attack in Pakistan Dawn 15 December 2012 15 December 2012 live https://web.archive.org/web/20121215202410/http://dawn.com/2012/12/15/three-blasts-heard-in-peshawar/ 15 December 2012 Public outcry Many families of the nearby residential area left their damaged houses as they were no longer habitable. Many people criticized the government for not providing compensation for the damages. Military operations The Bacha Khan airport attack prompted Pakistani military operations in the tribal regions such as Operation Rah-e-Shahadat in Khyber agency and Operation Zarb-e-Azb in North-Waziristan Agency. By 2016, civilian deaths due to terrorism declined to 600 from a high of 3000 in 2012.Country Reports on Terrorism 2016 - Pakistan https://www.refworld.org/reference/annualreport/usdos/2017/en/117952 2025-01-29 Refworld en Subsequent Terrorist Attacks Despite the many operations conducted by Security forces in order to eliminate terrorists from the region, the airport continued to be a major target for terrorist attacks. After 2012 attack, terrorists attacked the airport again on February 26, 2014 when a series of rockets were targeted at peshawer city some of which fell into the airport but resulted in no casualties.riaz.ahmed 2014-02-26 5 rockets land in Peshawar https://tribune.com.pk/story/676314/5-rockets-land-in-peshawar?utm_source=chatgpt.com 2025-02-07 The Express Tribune enMarch 2026 no Then, Just few months later, airport was attacked again by terrorists on June 24, 2014 when PIA airline's plane PK-756 with 178 passengers was fired upon from outside the airport which resulted in one death and several injuries.Pakistan plane attacked in Peshawar https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2014/6/24/pakistan-plane-attacked-in-peshawar 2025-02-07 Al Jazeera enUNHCR Web Archive https://webarchive.archive.unhcr.org/20230522033834/https://www.refworld.org/docid/53ce2fe410.html 2025-02-07 webarchive.archive.unhcr.org See also Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2012 2014 Quetta Airbase attack 2012 Minhas Airbase attack References Category:21st-century mass murders in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Category:2012 mass murders Category:Spree shootings in Pakistan Category:Terrorist incidents in Pakistan in 2012 Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2012 Category:2010s crimes in Peshawar Category:Terrorist attacks on airports in Pakistan Category:Terrorist incidents in Peshawar Category:Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan attacks Category:Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan Category:December 2012 in Pakistan Category:Pakistan–Uzbekistan relations Category:2012 murders in Pakistan Category:2012 mass shootings in Asia Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in Peshawar Category:Mass murders in Peshawar Category:Mass shootings in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Category:December 2012 crimes in Asia