4 Killed In Attack On Pakistan Stock Exchange In Karachi

All four terrorists, who attacked the Pakistan Stock Exchange in Karachi this morning, have been shot dead, police said. At least four people including a policeman were killed in the attack, according to the officials.

The city's police force had earlier said six people died in the firefight but later revised the figure, according to news agency AFP. A Karachi hospital where the bodies were taken confirmed the updated death count.

The gunmen attacked the building, which is in a high security zone that also houses the head offices of many private banks, with grenades and guns, Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon told news agency Reuters. "Four attackers have been killed, they had come in a silver Corolla car," Mr Memon said.

Four security guards, a policeman and a bystander were also killed, according to a statement from the Karachi Police, news agency AFP reported.

"Police have recovered modern automatic weapons and explosive materials from the terrorists," the statement read.

No terror group has claimed the responsibility of the attack so far.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) tweeted 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," one of the posts read.

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.

(2/2)#PSX

— PSX (@pakstockexgltd) June 29, 2020

"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," another tweet read.

Earlier this month, three explosions on the same day claimed by a little-known separatist group killed four people including two soldiers in the southern province of Sindh, of which Karachi is capital.

Sindh province Governor Imran Ismail condemned the incident. "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," he said on Twitter.

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

Karachi was once a hotspot for crime and political and ethnic violence, with heavily armed groups tied to politicians frequently gunning down opponents and launching attacks on residential areas, AFP reported.

However, the situation has largely stabilised in recent years following operations by security agencies against armed political outfits and terrorists. 

(With inputs from AFP, Reuters, PTI)