PESHAWAR: The Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), an organisation of militants mostly from the central Asian Uzbek state, has claimed that its suicide bombers carried out this week`s attack on the Karachi airport and their target was a particular section of the airport. It also said that the attack was in revenge for the 1(illing of its people and tribesmen in last month`s air strikes in North Waziristan.

In a statement in Uzbek and English languages posted on a jihadist website, IMU leader Usman Ghazi warned that their operation would continue against the government and the army.

The IMU is based in North Waziristan`s Mirali sub-district and has been behind some of the deadly attacks in Pakistan.

The IMU statement contained a combo of pictures of the Uzbek militants who had struck the country`s busiest airport on Monday.

Earlier, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (Mohmand) had claimed responsibility for the attack which it said had been carried out to avenge the killing of its leader Hakeemullah Mehsud in a drone attack.

But Usman Ghazi said in his statement that 10 IMU fighters wearing explosives-fitted vests had attacked a `very special section` of the airport which was out of sight of ordinary people. He also claimed that the fighters had destroyed a number of planes in the `special section` and killed security personnel.

The IMU leader said his group had partners in tribal areas and cities and villages of the country.