Militants armed with automatic weapons, a rocket launcher and grenades stormed the airport and were involved in an intense six-hour firefight with the airport's security force, police, paramilitaries and commandos.
Ten of the dead were the attackers, according to Pakistan's paramilitary Rangers.Also killed were at least four airport security staff, civilian airport employees and four Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) staff.
The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack saying it was in revenge for their late leader Hakimullah Mehsud, who was killed in a US drone strike in November.
Television footage showed what appeared to be a major fire and plumes of smoke floating across the runway near parked aircraft.
Pakistan's military spokesman Major General Asim Bajwa said after the operation had ended: "Update: Area cleared. No damage to aircraft, fire visible in pics was not plane but a building, now extinguished. All vital assets intact."
