At least 9 people are reportedly dead after armed terrorists stormed the Pakistan stock exchange building in Karachi on Monday morning, June 29.
At least four attackers pulled up outside the building in Karachi in a car before opening fire and hurling grenades.
A police sub-inspector and four security guards were killed. In the ensuing exchange of fire, all the four terrorists were also killed.
The Pakistani Police said that five persons suffered injuries in the horrific attack in Karachi, the country’s financial centre. The injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital.
Video of the attack shows blood on the floor of the stock exchange, and a number of dead bodies outside.
Large amounts of gunfire can be heard ringing out over the city in footage filmed from nearby buildings.
According to reports, as soon as the attack began, people present in the stock exchange building huddled inside their offices.
Stock exchange officials said it did not cease trading during the attack.
Witnesses have claimed the gunmen were dressed as a police officers when they launched the attack.
The heavily-armed terrorists were spotted wearing flak jackets. Security forces have found hand grenades, AK-47 rifles, magazines and other explosive material from the spot, which indicates that the terrorists had come for a long siege.
The Pakistan Stock Exchange building is located on Karachi’s I.I. Chundrigar Road, which is also called Pakistan’s Wall Street. The area also has the Pakistan State Bank and the headquarters of various other national and international financial institutions.
The Karachi stock exchange is the largest and oldest stock exchange of Pakistan.
According to Pakistan media sources, the Baloch Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack on their Instagram account. Baloch is listed as a terrorist organisation by Britain, the US and Pakistan.
The group – based in Afghanistan – are demanding autonomy for the region of Balochistan in south west Pakistan.
Since 2004 it has been responsible for a number of attacks in Pakistan, and has been accused by human rights activists of carrying out ethnic cleansing.
Sindh province Governor Imran Ismail condemned the attack, tweeting: “Strongly condemn the attack on PSX aimed at tarnishing our relentless war on terror. Have instructed the IG & security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are caught alive & their handlers are accorded exemplary punishments. We shall protect Sindh at all costs.”
“An unfortunate incident took place at the Pakistan Stock Exchange. They made their way from our parking area and opened fire on everyone,” said Abid Ali Habib, the Pakistan Stock Exchange director.
Stock exchange official Faruh Khan said: “They were stopped at the gate by Rangers and police officials who responded effectively and brought the situation under control.
“However, this was a very serious and unfortunate attack.”
He said thankfully many people who usually work in the stock exchange were not there due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Khan added: “It is a very large compound hence on a normal day there are between 6,000-8,000 people who come and go to the stock exchange.
“Had the terrorists not been held back at the gate, the situation would have been difficult altogether.”
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah condemned the attack, saying it was “akin to an attack on national security and economy”.
Watch the video below.
Terrorist attack
Five people, including three terrorists, were killed in a grenade attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi
A terrorist is still in the building… pic.twitter.com/fwVoyuc01Z— Malik Imran🇵🇰❤🇹🇷 (@MImranAliPTI) June 29, 2020
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