Archive · 15 Sep 2026
September 15, 1986: Airport Blast, Punjab Security, Naval Milestones
Several important security and defense stories were reported on September 15, 1986.
A bomb exploded in the busy arrival hall of Seoul’s Gimpo Airport.
Five people died and 26 were hurt.
The attack raised worries that terrorists might target the Asian Games.
In Punjab, the government asked for 60 more companies of paramilitary forces after killings in Muktsar.
India was also building submarines at Mazagon Dock Ltd.
The first submarine was expected to begin sea trials by 1990, followed by a second one in 1991.
In Karachi, a bomb under an Iraqi diplomat’s car seat killed him and badly injured his driver.
No group claimed responsibility for that attack.
A bomb planted in a bin near a gate at Seoul’s Gimpo Airport killed five people and wounded 26 in the crowded arrival hall.
The airport explosion heightened fears that terrorists might try to disrupt the Asian Games.
Punjab Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala said the state had requested 60 additional companies of paramilitary forces after the Muktsar killings.
Mazagon Dock Ltd. planned to ready India’s first Indian-built submarine for sea trials by 1990, with a second expected in 1991.
Iraqi vice consul Mehtar Abdus Salam was killed in Karachi by a bomb placed under his car seat; his driver was critically injured.
- Who
- Victims at Gimpo Airport, Punjab authorities led by Chief Minister Surjit Singh Barnala, Mazagon Dock Ltd., and Iraqi vice consul Mehtar Abdus Salam were involved in the reported incidents and developments.
- What
- The reports covered an airport bombing, a request for additional paramilitary forces, India’s submarine-building program, and the assassination of an Iraqi diplomat.
- When
- The reports are dated September 15, 1986; the submarine sea trials were projected for 1990 and 1991.
- Where
- The incidents and developments involved Seoul’s Gimpo Airport, Punjab and Jaipur in India, Mazagon Dock in Bombay, and Karachi.
- Why
- The Punjab request followed the Muktsar killings, while the Seoul bombing raised fears of sabotage of the Asian Games; the motive for the Karachi bombing was not reported.
- Gimpo Airport casualties
- Five killed and 26 wounded
- Airport bomb location
- A bin near a terminal gate
- Punjab security request
- 60 additional companies of paramilitary forces
- Submarine program
- First Indian-built submarine planned for sea trials by 1990; second by 1991
- Submarine construction
- Mazagon Dock Ltd. was building two of four submarines under a 1982 contract with a West German firm
- Karachi bombing
- Iraqi vice consul Mehtar Abdus Salam was killed; his driver was critically injured
- Responsibility
- No group claimed responsibility for the Karachi explosion