9 dead after terrorists storm stock exchange
FOUR terrorists were shot dead in a gun and grenade attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange that killed a policeman and up to four security guards.
Stock traders calmly worked on inside the Karachi financial centre as security guards and elite Sindh Ranger paramilitaries exchanged fire with the separatist militiamen.
Witnesses said the attack happened at about 10am local time when a Toyota Corolla pulled up alongside the building.
The terrorists leapt from the car armed with automatic weapons and backpacks of ammunition. They hurled grenades at the main gate and fired indiscriminately.
Prime minister Imran Khan condemned the attack but praised government forces for repelling the terrorists.
His special adviser Shahbaz Gill said he extended his “heartfelt condolences” to the grieving families of the officers were killed. He added: “The security forces bravely fought the enemy and thwarted the attack.”
Army chiefs said the guards and Rangers – nicknamed Guardians of the Nation – wiped out the Baloch Liberation Army fighters within eight minutes. The guards’ death toll was put at between two and four and seven people were injured in the attack.
Investigators suspect the gang was backed by Indian intelligence and planned to take hostages in support of their fight for Balochistan province independence on the south western border.
Business was never suspended. One broker Asad Javed heard gunfire and an explosion and said: “We locked ourselves in our offices.”
Police collect evidence from the body of one of the alleged gunmen