A pre-planned terrorist assault on the Frontier Corps (FC) Headquarters in central Peshawar was thwarted on Monday morning after security forces killed all three attackers, officials confirmed.
According to Express News, the attack began when a suicide bomber detonated himself at the main gate of the FC Headquarters. Moments later, two armed terrorists attempted to force their way into the compound but were intercepted and shot dead by responding personnel.
Security officials reported that three FC soldiers were martyred in the exchange while two others were injured. Rescue teams and ambulances reached the scene immediately, shifting the wounded to the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), where emergency protocols were activated. Medical staff later confirmed they had received 11 injured, including FC personnel and civilians, all stated to be in stable condition.
Senior Police Officer (SP) Cantt had earlier said that law-enforcement agencies cordoned off the entire Saddar and Kohat Road belt following the initial blast. Police, Elite Force, and rapid-response units were deployed across the area, while BRT service in the city was temporarily suspended as part of the security lockdown.
Peshawar CCPO Mian Saeed said he personally led the operation, adding that a clearance sweep was still underway. The IG Khyber Pakhtunkhwa later confirmed that all three terrorists had been neutralised.
Security sources said the attack took place around 8 a.m., when terrorists affiliated with the outlawed group referred to as “Fitna-tul-Khawarij” targeted the FC installation. One detonated at the gate while the remaining two were eliminated during their attempted breach.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi strongly condemned the incident, calling it a cowardly act against national security.
In a statement from the Presidency, President Zardari expressed condolences to families of the martyred personnel and prayed for the recovery of the injured, declaring that terrorism backed by external forces would be rooted out. He also praised the FC and police for their timely and courageous response.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan narrowly avoided greater loss due to the swift action of security forces. He directed authorities to ensure the best medical care for the injured and vowed that those behind the attack would be traced and brought to justice.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi saluted the FC personnel for preventing the attackers from inflicting mass casualties, stating that the bravery displayed by the force had once again safeguarded the country.
