PESHAWAR: Three suicide terrorists were killed on the spot after they tried to storm the Frontier Constabulary (FC) Headquarters in Peshawar on Monday morning as the alert security forces interrupted their move by not letting them enter the building.
However, three FC jawans were also martyred as a suicide bomber exploded himself on the gate of the FC building.
According to Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Mian Saeed, three suicide bombers carried out the attack.
The CCPO Peshawar confirmed that the first suicide attacker detonated himself at the headquarters gate at 8:11 am, while two others attempted to breach the facility. Frontier Constabulary personnel neutralised both attackers at the gate.
Taking advantage of the blast, the two remaining attackers entered the building, he added.
The CCPO said the two attackers who entered inside were immediately killed by the FC officials.
Saddar Road was closed to all types of traffic soon after the attack, he continued.
IG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Zulfikar Hamid said during the confrontation, two FC personnel were martyred and two others injured, with the wounded immediately shifted to hospital for treatment.
He added that the terrorists’ attempt could have caused significant casualties, but robust security measures prevented further damage.
Security agencies are continuing investigations at the scene, collecting evidence to determine the full scope of the attack. Security is on high alert.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Rescue services said, the injured have been shifted to Lady Reading Hospital and they are in stable condition.
According to sources, security forces have launched an operation against the terrorists.
They stated that the blast occurred while a parade was taking place in the headquarters. As many as 450 personnel were taking part in the parade.
Sources said early investigation revealed that suicide attackers were wearing suicide jackets. The ages of the attackers were reported to be between 18 and 22 years, they added.
It has been indicated that the terrorists came with planning and their target was the parade.
Police have also carried out a search operation in the area, and all entry and exit points have been completely sealed.
According to initial reports, the intensity of the blasts shattered the windows of nearby buildings.
Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Sanaullah said that all hospitals have been put on alert. The terrorists have been identified as Afghan nationals, the initial police report revealed.
According to security sources, the weapons and explosives recovered from the dead attackers revealed their identity.
The police report stated that one suicide attacker approached the main gate of the FC Headquarters from Sanheri Masjid Road, wearing a shawl to conceal himself.
He blew himself up at the checkpoint of the main gate, killing three personnel on the spot.
Police said that the blast did not damage the main gate. Immediately afterward, two attackers dressed in shalwar and kameez entered the FC Headquarters through the side gate, carrying rifles and hand grenades.
The report added that after entering, the suicide attackers moved to the right and reached the motorcycle stand, where they opened fire but were killed in the retaliatory gunfire, within 30-40 meters of the main gate.
The report stated that the terrorists intended to take people hostage, noting that senior officers and a large number of personnel were present at the FC Headquarters, and a parade was also ongoing.
The FC Headquarters has now been completely cleared, the report said.
Meanwhile, the funeral prayers of Frontier Constabulary personnel who embraced martyrdom in the terrorist attack on FC Headquarters were held in Peshawar.
KP Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also attended the funeral prayers of martyred FC personnel.
In his condolence message, the chief minister paid glowing tributes to the sacrifices rendered by the brave jawans of the Frontier Constabulary.
He said that the sacrifices rendered by the martyred personnel will be remembered.
He prayed to Almighty Allah to rest the souls of martyred personnel in eternal peace and grant courage to their families to bear this loss with courage.
The chief minister said that the KP government stands with the families of the martyred FC personnel.
The chief minister said that the sacrifices of the martyrs further strengthen our resolve against terrorism.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack carried out by Fitna al-Khwarij targeting Federal Constabulary Headquarters in Peshawar.
The president and prime minister, in their separately issued statements, appreciated the timely response by the police and security forces which averted a major loss. Calling the attack as a cowardly act of foreign backed anti-state elements, they reiterated the government’s resolve to completely wipe out the terrorism from the country. The complete elimination of foreign-sponsored Khawarij terrorism from Pakistan is our top priority,” President Zardari said and expressed sympathies with the bereaved families of the martyrs and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said that those responsible for the incident should be identified at the earliest and brought to justice.
He directed immediate medical assistance to the injured and prayed for their swift recovery.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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