Around 10 dead in Pakistan Stock Exchange attack, all 4 terrorists killed

18:35 June 29

Attack not possible without support of RAW, other intelligence agencies: Director General of Pakistan Rangers

Addressing a press conference, Major General Omer Ahmed Bokhari, Director General of Pakistan Rangers, Sindh names Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) - India's foreign intelligence agency - while accusing it of supporting the attack.

"We will share details with you after the investigation. But I can say this straight away, that this terrorist attack is not possible without the support of a strong intelligence agency and on top of the list (is) RAW (Research and Analysis Wing, India's foreign intelligence agency), (whose) frustration is (apparent) in front of you."

18:11 June 29

Footage sourced from CCTV cameras installed in and around Pakistan Stock Exchange shows one of the attackers armed with a gun entering PSX premise.

18:10 June 29

Security personnel examine confiscated ammunition from attackers outside the Stock Exchange Building in Karachi, Pakistan on Monday as the bodies of two of the four terrorists lie close by.

16:13 June 29

Ammunition confiscated from attackers outside the Stock Exchange Building

Security personnel examine confiscated ammunition from attackers outside the Stock Exchange Building in Karachi, Pakistan on Monday

14:22 June 29

Law enforcement agencies played vital role in combating attack: PSX Director

Ahmed Chunai, Director, Pakistan Stock Exchange praised the law enforcement agencies present on site for "combating this attack".

"Four terrorists tried to enter the Pakistan Stock Exchange today and they were heavily armed and equipped but the law enforcement agencies present at the main gate stopped the Two of the terrorists were killed at the main gate, the third one was killed at the central gate and the fourth one was killed at the entrance of the building. The law enforcement agencies, the rangers and private security played a very important role in combating this attack."

13:58 June 29

BLA's Majeed Brigade claims responsibility for attack on Twitter

Speaking exclusively to ETV Bharat, Ramisha Ali, Correspondent, Independent Urdu, Karachi said that a faction of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack on the Pakistan Stock Exchange this morning via a tweet.

"Nobody has taken an official responsibility for the attack yet but a faction of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) - Majeed Brigade - has claimed responsibility for the attack. Before carrying out this attack a Twitter account was created today for the very purpose of claiming responsibility for the attack, but its not official yet, " said Ali.

13:31 June 29

Major terrorist attacks in Pakistan

12:34 June 29

Police surgeon Qarar Ahmed Abbasi said that five bodies and seven injured, including policemen, were taken to the Dr Ruth Pfau Civil Hospital Karachi.

Police and Rangers' officials arrived at the scene soon after the attack and killed all four attackers, Sindh Rangers said.

A clearance operation is underway in the vicinity.

Weapons and hand grenades have been recovered from the attackers.

Meanwhile, the PSX said in a statement: "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."

"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," it added.

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail condemned the incident, saying: "We shall protect Sindh at all costs."

The PSX is located at the heart of Karachi's business centre. Important buildings like that of the State Bank of Pakistan is located near it.

12:10 June 29

Pakistan Stock Exchange comes under attack; at least 10 killed

Four heavily armed militants attacked the busy Pakistan Stock Exchange on Monday morning, killing four security guards and a police officer before being shot dead in an exchange of fire, media reports said.

The unidentified militants opened indiscriminate fire and lobbed hand grenades at the main gate of the multi-storey building as they tried to storm it, Geo News reported.

The police and Rangers' officials arrived at the scene and killed all the four terrorists near the entrance gates, Sindh Rangers said.

AK-47 rifles, hand grenades, magazines and other explosive material have been recovered, the police said, adding that the equipment indicated that they had come for a long siege.

Four security guards and a police sub-inspector were killed as they foiled their attempt to storm the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) compound on Karachi's I.I. Chundrigar Road, also known as Pakistan's Wall Street, the report said.

Five persons have been injured in the attack.

The militants could not enter the trading hall, Dawn News reported, adding that trading had not been stopped and was still continuing.

The firing by militants caused panic among the people in the building.

The building and surrounding areas have been sealed and people were evacuated from the back door, the report said.

Speaking to Geo TV, the Inspector-General of Karachi said that the situation was under control and all the militants have been killed.

He said that Rangers and police officials entered the building and were conducting a search operation.

According to the officer, the attackers were reportedly wearing clothes usually worn by police officials while they are off-duty.

Police said that the militants conducted the assault with sophisticated weapons and were carrying a bag of explosives.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah condemned the attack and said that it was "akin to an attack on national security and economy".

"Anti-state elements want to take advantage of the virus situation," he said.

11:20 June 29

3 injured in Pakistan Stock Exchange attack

Karachi:Three persons were injured in a militant attack at Pakistan Stock Exchange building on Monday.

Four militants stormed into the building fired bullets at the staff inside, creating havoc in the building.

The police said three of the four terrorists have been killed while one remains inside the building.

The terrorists launched a grenade attack at the main gate of the building and stormed the building after firing indiscriminately.

A police officer and the security guard stationed outside the PSX building were among the wounded.

Rizwan Ahmed, a police official at the scene of the attack says "Gunmen opened fire at the entrance and have entered the stock exchange grounds. It wasn’t immediately known how many gunmen are involved and whether they have been able to enter the building itself in Monday's attack."

Inside the stock exchange, broker Yaqub Memon says he and others are huddled inside their offices.

"An unfortunate incident took place at the Pakistan Stock Exchange," said Abid Ali Habib, Director of the PSX adding that, "They made their way from our parking area and opened fire on everyone."

As of now, there is an exchange of fire still going on between the police and the militants.

The injured personnel have been moved to nearby hospitals while people who are stuck in the building are being moved out through the backdoor.

Heavily armed special forces have surrounded the building located in the heart of the city’s financial district, where the Pakistan State Bank is located as well as the headquarters of several national and international financial institutions.

Local television stations are showing police in full body armor surrounding the building but still staying outside the high walled compound of the stock exchange.

Inputs from agencies