At least 8 killed in Pakistan stock exchange attack

Security personnel stand guard inside the Pakistan Stock Exchange after an attack in Karachi, Pakistan, Monday, June 29, 2020. (AP)

• Balochistan Liberation Army claims responsibility for the attack
• Trading continues uninterrupted at the country’s largest bourse

KARACHI: At least eight people have died and seven were injured after shots were fired by gunmen at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in Karachi on Monday, security officials said.
All four attackers were reported killed. 
A police officer and three security guards are also among those confirmed dead, Sharjeel Kharal, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) South, told Arab News.
“Law enforcement agencies thwarted the attack by killing all four attackers,” he said, adding that the assailants had not entered the building.
The attackers opened fire and threw a hand grenade to break into the stock exchange compound. 
They were killed within minutes of the assault, DG Rangers Sindh Maj. Gen. Umar Ahmad Bukhari told reporters.
“The attackers were killed within eight minutes of the attack which started at 10:02 a.m. and ended at 10:10 a.m. The security network effectively responded and killed the four attackers and foiled the attempt to enter the main building,” he said.
Security forces have recovered AK-47 rifles, a grenade launcher, grenades, ammunition and the food the men had with them, presumably planning a longer assault. 
The banned separatist group Balochistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the attack as it released photographs of the assailants.
Pakistan designated the Balochistan Liberation Army as a terrorist organization on April 7, 2006.
Trading was uninterrupted by the attack. The PSX administration told workers inside the building to stay on the higher floors as rangers were combing the compound. 
“Trading was not interrupted even for a second. Prompt and unbelievable security response has thwarted the attack which could have trigger an even bigger incident,” said Sulaiman S. Mehdi, PSX chairman and independent non-executive director.
He added that during the attack an online board meeting was underway. 
“Trading continues smoothly. PSX benchmark index one of the best performers in Asia today so far. This is the resilience of Pakistan,” said Muhammad Sohail, CEO of Topline Security said.
The country’s largest bourse is located on I. I. Chundrigar Road — also known as Pakistan’s Wall Street — the city’s main commercial street in a high-security zone close to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and Central Police Office. Many offices of private banks, commercial enterprises, and the head office of Karachi Port Trust (KPT) are in close vicinity.