In the early hours of Monday morning, a coordinated assault struck the Federal Constabulary (FC) headquarters in Peshawar, killing three FC personnel and three attackers.
According to police and security officials, the attack began shortly after 8:00 a.m., when one suicide bomber detonated himself at the main gate, triggering a powerful explosion. Moments later, the other two militants attempted to breach the compound but were intercepted by alert FC staff.
Law enforcement sources, including Peshawar’s Capital City Police Officer Dr. Mian Saeed Ahmad, reported that the two surviving militants were shot and neutralized in a brief but intense gun battle. A clearance operation was immediately launched inside the headquarters to ensure that no further threat remained.
On the FC side, three personnel lost their lives and others were wounded. According to hospital officials, those injured include both FC members and civilians; Lady Reading Hospital confirmed that six civilians were among the wounded, all now in stable condition.
The attackers have been identified as three militants. Police confirmed that all three were killed – one by self-detonation and the other two during the ensuing firefight. Preliminary investigations suggest the attackers were foreigners: an early police report claims all three were Afghan nationals.
In response to the attack, security forces swiftly sealed off the area, diverting traffic and establishing a perimeter around the FC headquarters. Meanwhile, an emergency was declared at both Lady Reading Hospital and Khyber Teaching Hospital to treat the wounded.
High-level political leaders have strongly condemned the assault. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the prompt and courageous response of the FC personnel, while President Asif Ali Zardari offered condolences to the families of the martyred officers and reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorism. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also honored the fallen, calling their sacrifice a testament to the bravery of Pakistan’s security forces.
While no militant group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack, security officials said DNA samples from the attackers are being analyzed, and more details are expected as investigators sift through forensic evidence.
Sources: Al Jazeera, Reuters, Dunya News, and DAWN news.
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