Karachi: Terrorist attack on stock exchange

In a militant attack on Pakistan stock exchange Karachi, at least seven people got killed, including four terrorists on Monday 29th June 2020. A twitter account associated with the terrorist group; Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for the attack. BLA claimed that members from Majeed brigade took part in the attack. Initial details reveal the attack took place around 10 am local time. The terrorists use hand grenade to enter the premises of the building through the parking lot.

A Karachi police spokesman said a police sub-inspector of Karachi police on duty and two stock exchange guards killed in the firing and grenade attack at the entrance. According to a spokesman, the four terrorists got killed in a crossfire with the police, two civilians, including three policemen, and two security guards, and a stock exchange employee got injured. An earlier statement from police stated ten dead.

According to police surgeon Dr. Qarar Abbasi, they have so far received seven dead bodies, including four militants, two security guards, and a policeman. The militants also had modern weapons, grenades, and other items in their possession. 

A heavy force of police and rangers remained outside the building after the incident. The building and surroundings were searched.

Sindh Additional IG Ghulam Nabi Memon stated that the militants came in silver corolla and stopped at the gate by the police where the crossfire started. He said two militants were killed outside the gate while the two managed to reach inside but also killed. The militants could not enter the main building.

Stock exchange MD Farrukh Khan said that the attackers did not manage to enter the building and remained on the premises. He also said that business activities were not affected on the trading floor. The chief minister of Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah condemned the incident and demanded a detailed inquiry report. 

CTD In-charge Raja Omar Khattab

The counter-terrorism department (CTD) in-charge, Raja Omar Khattab said that today’s attack at the stock exchange is somewhat similar to the attack on the Chinese consulate in 2008. The vehicle used was registered by the concerned agencies and is registered, against one of the terrorists killed in today's attack named Salman. The militant Salman belonged to the ketch district of Baluchistan. 

Raja Omar Khattab said, “the vehicle used in the Chinese consulate attack was also not stolen and cleared, suggests that terrorist have enough funds which are why they buy vehicles from the market and use them,”

While answering a question he said that no explosive was found form militants possession but weapons, grenades, launchers and food items were recovered form them. Further he said he can not immediately reveal the identity of militants. One militant is identified as Salman. The details of the other will be revealed soon.

DG Rangers Sindh

DG Rangers sindh Major General Omar Bukhari says that this terrorist attack could not have taken place without the help of any enemy foreign agency in which according to him India’s secret agency “RAW” is at the top.

In a press conference along with Karachi police chief, he said that we are aware of the uneasiness of enemy foreign agencies, especially RAW, in this regard. While talking about operations against militants, he said that joint operations by law enforcement agencies over the last few years, narrowed the terrorist’s operation scope.

Responding to a question, DG Rangers said that he would not call today’s incident an intelligence failure. Ghulam Nabi told the press conference that it was pointed out by the intelligence agencies that stock exchange could be under attack, and the security agencies were ready for today’s attack.

DG Rangers included that the four terrorists had come with the determination to; not only target the people but also to take them hostage at the stock exchange. Maj. Gen. Bukhari said we say this based on the items recovered from militants including, AK’s, grenades, and food items.

The two policemen from Sindh police who killed terrorists

According to Maj. Gen. Omar Bukhari stock exchange is a symbol of Pakistan’s economy and the purpose of the attack was to intimidate the investors and portray Pakistan as an insecure country.