5 dead as terrorists storm stock exchange in Karachi

KARACHI: At least five people have reportedly been killed in a firing incident and grenade attack at the Pakistan Stock Exchange located on main I.I. Chundrigar in Karachi.

According to police, four terrorists have been shot dead by law-enforcement agencies and the terror attack has been foiled. Pakistan Rangers Sindh have issued a statement confirming that all terrorists involved in the attack have been killed.

Law-enforcement agencies including police and Rangers personnel had reached the area and sealed the main road for traffic while a large contingent has been deployed outside the stock exchange.

The terrorists stormed the main building before a grenade attack outside the gate and opened indiscriminate fire. The injured have been shifted to a nearby hospital for medical treatment and a state of emergency has been declared at the Civil Hospital.

The situation at the PSX building is now under control and trading has resumed, while a search and clear operation is underway.  A police officer and a security guard were among those wounded in the firing incident.

Governor Sindh Imran Ismail has strongly condemned the attack on PSX which he said was “aimed at tarnishing our relentless war on terror.”

The governor said he has instructed the Inspector-General and security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are caught alive and their handlers are accorded exemplary punishments. “We shall protect Sindh at all costs,” he said.

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.

— Imran Ismail (@ImranIsmailPTI) June 29, 2020

Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah also condemned the attack which he said was “tantamount to attacking the national solidarity and the economy.” He appreciated law-enforcement agencies for the prompt response and urged them to remain vigilant.

The chief minister said the miscreants and anti-state elements can take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic. He also directed to launch a complete inquiry into the incident and submit a report.

Director PSX Abid Ali Habib told media said that the militants had stormed from the Railway Ground parking area and fired outside the ground of the PSX creating panic among the people in the building.

PSX issued a statement on Twitter that its compound had been attacked and that the “situation is still unfolding”.

“There was an attack on the PSX compound earlier today. The situation is still unfolding and management, with the help of security forces, is managing the security and controlling the situation,” tweeted the PSX.

“We will issue a more detailed statement in due course once the situation is under control and more details are known. For now firing has stopped and reinforcement are in place.”

Speaking to a private news channel, Inspector-General Karachi said that the situation was under control and all terrorists had been killed in the attack. He said that Rangers and police officials had entered the building and were conducting a search operation.

He said the attackers were wearing clothes usually worn by police officials while they are off-duty. Police have seized a blue sedan that the terrorists used in the attack. A large number of arms, ammunition and explosives have been recovered.