the terminal used for the hajj pilgrimage to Makkah, and an engineering section close to an old terminal that is no longer in use. <br />An AFP reporter witnessed three huge blasts as suicide bombers detonated their explosives. <br />Smoke was seen billowing from the airport as fires raged close to planes parked on the runway, while militants, some dressed in army uniform, clashed with the airport s security force who were backed by police, paramilitary squads and elite commandos. <br />A senior intelligence official said it appeared the militants had aimed to hijack a plane that passengers were boarding at the main terminal, but that when they were repelled they went on the rampage.
