A powerful suicide blast shook Peshawar’s Saddar area after a bomber blew himself up at the gate of the Federal Constabulary (FC) Headquarters on Monday morning.
Security forces responded immediately, killing two attackers and preventing them from entering the large complex. Gunfire was heard in the area as the operation unfolded.
Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed told the media that a suicide bomber detonated himself at the main gate of the FC Headquarters after 8:11am, triggering intense gunfire in the Saddar locality. Police and rescue teams reached the site within minutes, as forces quickly sealed off the area.
Two suicide bombers attempted to enter the FC complex, he said further, but alert FC soldiers stopped them at the gate. One bomber blew himself up at the first gate, while the other two attackers were shot dead by FC personnel before they could enter deeper into the compound, he added.
Gunfire that erupted immediately after the blast soon subsided as forces gained control of the situation.
According to the initial report of the blast, a parade was underway inside the FC Headquarters at the time of the attack, with nearly 450 personnel participating. Sources said three suicide bombers approached the headquarters on foot, all wearing explosive jackets.
The attackers had come with a clear plan, and their primary target was the parade, the sources added.
Casualties and injuries confirmed
The official said three FC personnel stationed at the gate were martyred on the spot, while two others sustained injuries during the exchange of fire.
According to officials, two terrorists were killed during the operation, which continued as the complex was cleared. The martyred officials were identified as Havaldar Alamzeb, Sepoy Riyasat and Sepoy Altaf. Those injured were identified as Lance Naik Zack, Sepoy Arshad, Sepoy Attaullah, and Sepoy Irfan.
Security sources confirmed that if the attackers had succeeded in breaching the compound, they could have caused massive casualties or attempted kidnappings inside various barracks.
The security forces say they recovered two suicide jackets and eight hand grenades from the possession of the killed bombers. They said the attack was carried out with complete planning, but the forces managed to foil it. According to the officials, the attackers were said to belong to Afghanistan.
According to the spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), 11 people injured in the blast have been shifted to the hospital. Muhammad Asim said the condition of all the injured is satisfactory and they are receiving treatment.
The injured include three FC personnel, he confirmed.
Heavy security and emergency response
Police cordoned off the entire area, blocking Saddar Road and Sunehri Masjid Road for traffic as the clearance operation got underway. The BRT service passing through the Saddar route was also suspended briefly and later reinstated.
Rescue 1122 deployed six ambulances, a fire vehicle, a disaster vehicle and over 50 personnel to the site. The windows of surrounding buildings shattered due to the impact of the explosion.
Shops outside the FC Headquarters were closed at the time of the attack, as business for the day had not yet begun — preventing further civilian casualties.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed and the CCPO confirmed that the quick and coordinated action by FC soldiers prevented a catastrophic breach.
“As security arrangements improved, the attacker was not allowed to enter,” the IGP said. “If the attackers had made it inside the FC Headquarters — a very large complex — the losses could have been devastating.”
The CCPO added that ATS and army troops arrived immediately and assisted in the clearing operation. “Our soldiers responded bravely and immediately. They prevented the suicide bombers from getting to the barracks,” he stated.
Area sealed for clearing operation
The FC complex was fully secured after a detailed sweep by police, anti-terrorism squad, FC, and army personnel. CTD officers also arrived at the site to collect forensic evidence.
Officials cautioned that clearing such a large installation would take time. Traffic remained diverted as the road in front of the headquarters continued to be sealed.
Political leadership condemns
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the Federal Constabulary Headquarters in Peshawar. He praised the timely and courageous action of the security forces, saying their quick response prevented major loss of life.
The prime minister directed authorities to ensure immediate medical assistance for the injured and prayed for their swift and full recovery.
He emphasized that those responsible for the attack must be identified and brought to justice without delay. “The nefarious designs of terrorists who target Pakistan’s integrity will be crushed,” PM Sharif said.
He reaffirmed that thegGovernment remained fully committed to eliminating terrorism from the country.
President Asif Ali Zardari has also strongly condemned the terrorist attack carried out by Fitna al-Khawarij. He expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred personnel and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured.
Calling the attack a cowardly act by foreign-backed terrorists, the president said that eliminating terrorists operating with external support remains a top national priority. He also paid tribute to the timely and courageous response of the security forces and police.
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned the attack, praising the Federal Constabulary personnel for bravely thwarting the assault by Fitna al-Khawarij. He lauded the courage of the FC soldiers, saying they “sent the attacking terrorists to hell” through their decisive response.
Naqvi said the FC personnel took timely action and foiled a major terrorist plot. He paid homage to the three FC soldiers who sacrificed their lives, offering heartfelt sympathy and condolences to their families.
He directed authorities to ensure the best medical treatment for the injured, adding that the martyred soldiers are national heroes whose sacrifices will always be remembered.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also condemned the attack on the FC Headquarters. He sought an immediate report from the IGP and instructed officials to provide urgent and top-quality medical care to the injured.
Calling the attack “extremely regrettable,” the chief minister said the soldiers’ bravery prevented a much greater tragedy.
“Terrorists have no religion, and such cowardly acts cannot weaken our resolve,” he stated.
CM Afridi said the martyrs are the pride of the nation, and their blood will never go in vain. He vowed that those involved in the attack will be brought to justice and reaffirmed that the war against terrorism will continue with renewed determination.
He added that all available resources will be used to restore peace and eliminate terrorism, stressing that the provincial government stands firmly with the police and all law enforcement agencies.
The CM also prayed for the eternal peace of the martyred personnel and patience for their families.
