Sri Lankan Airlines says that flight UL 183 which was due to depart Colombo at 1.00pm today (June 9) is cancelled due to Pakistani authorities closing down Karachchi International Airport until further notice.

“Passengers are advised to contact 1979 for further information. We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused. We are waiting for instructions from Pakistani authorities for clearance to operate flights,” a statement said.

Gunmen disguised as police guards attacked a terminal at Pakistan’s busiest airport Sunday with machine guns and a rocket launcher during a five-hour siege that killed 13 people as explosions echoed into the night.

A separate suicide bombing in the country’s southwest killed 23 Shiite pilgrims returning from Iran, authorities said.

No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack on the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi, named after the founder of Pakistan, nor the suicide bombing in Baluchistan province.

However, the attacks come as government-led peace talks with the local Taliban faction and other militants have floundered in recent weeks.