Three members of the Federal Constabulary (FC) have been martyred in an attack on the force's headquarters in the Saddar area of Peshawar on Monday morning, as reported by police.

 

 

Authorities stated that the event occurred just after 8 a.m. on a main road adjacent to the compound. CCTV footage revealed that one of the attackers, dressed in a chaddar, approached the entrance and detonated explosives at the gate. Shortly thereafter, two additional attackers tried to breach the premises.

 

 

Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed Ahmad informed the media that “initially, three militants tried to attack the headquarters. One terrorist blew himself up at the gate, while two others tried to enter the premises but were gunned down by FC personnel.” 

 

 

He confirmed that three FC members were martyred and two were injured and taken to a hospital. He noted that a clearance operation was conducted outside the compound.

 

 

According to the CCPO, "the FC soldiers foiled the terrorist plot due to their alertness,” and the attackers were “neutralised” at the entrance.

 

 

The headquarters of FC, formerly known as the Frontier Constabulary until its renaming in July, is situated near a military cantonment. The compound encompasses barracks, medical facilities, and residential units. The attack took place as personnel were assembling for the weekly first working day meeting.

 

 

In the aftermath of the incident, an emergency was proclaimed at Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) and Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH). Hospital officials reported that 11 injured individuals were brought to LRH and one was taken to KTH.

 

 

Monday’s assault marks the second significant attack on a security facility in Peshawar in recent years. In 2023, 84 individuals lost their lives in a suicide bombing at a mosque located within the Police Lines.

 

 

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif denounced the incident in a statement from the PM Office.

 

 

He remarked that “timely action taken by security forces saved us from major harm,” and offered prayers for the recovery of the injured. He emphasized the government’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and countering any threats against Pakistan.

 

 

President Asif Ali Zardari similarly condemned the attack, expressing condolences to the families of the fallen personnel. He stated that “externally backed Fitna-al-Khawarij cannot weaken Pakistan’s unity, resilience or resolve.”

 

 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi released a statement honoring security personnel. He asserted that “such cowardly attacks cannot weaken our morale,” and affirmed that the provincial government stands alongside the police and law enforcement agencies.

 

 

He stated that “every resource available will be utilised to eliminate terrorism,” and instructed authorities to ensure medical care for the injured while expressing prayers for the families of the martyred.

 

 

Pakistan has encountered an increase in attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan since the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ended its ceasefire with the government in November 2022 and expressed intentions to target security forces, police, and law enforcement personnel.

 

 

In September, six soldiers were martyred and five attackers were killed during a thwarted assault on the FC headquarters in Bannu district.

 

 

The military indicated that the attack was conducted by Indian proxy Fitna-al-Khawarij.