File photoL A Pakistan International Airlines flight
A little known Taliban-linked outfit, using improvised AK-47s, was behind the attack on an aircraft in Pakistan's Peshawar city that killed a woman passenger and injured crew members, an intelligence official said today. (
Shots Fired At Pak Plane While Landing in Peshawar, 1 Killed)
The attack on Tuesday night created panic among the international airlines, as UAE-based Emirates and Etihad suspended operations to the militancy-plagued north-western city. (
Gunmen Planned to Blow up Plane by Hitting Fuel Tank)
Shots were fired at the Pakistan International Airlines plane as it was landing at the Peshawar airport. The plane was carrying nearly 180 passengers from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia to Peshawar. (
Airlines Halt Flights to Pakistan City After Attack on Plane)
"Tariq Geedar group based in Darra Adamkhel near Peshawar and linked to Taliban was responsible for the attack," the official said.
The militants had used the rooftop of a school in suburban Sulimankhel area.
"As the school was closed for summer, the attackers easily sneaked on top of it with weapons and attacked the plane," he said.
According to initial reports of weapon experts, an AK-47 was used but the militants attached an extra barrel.
The improvisation of the weapon was done in Darra Adam Khel where several weapon factories are located.
Meanwhile, another unknown militant group also claimed responsibility for the attack.
Yousaf Raza Mujahid, who called himself the chief of the Taliban al-Qaeda group, said they carried out the attack to avenge atrocities on Taliban by the security forces.
He said his group was based in Bajaur tribal region.
Separately, a police official said that majority of people arrested during the search operation on Wednesday were set free as they were innocent.