Threat alert issued for educational institutes in Peshawar

National Counter-Terrorism Authority directs federal, provincial govts to exercise vigilance

PESHAWAR: The federal government has issued a threat alert for possible terrorist attacks on educational institutes in Peshawar.

A notification issued by the National Counter-terrorism Authority stated reports that a terrorist named Akhtar Zaman alias Sher Zaman of the Jamaatul Ahrar militant group was planning to carry out a suicide attack. The possible sites included Islamia College Peshawar, a university located in Hayatabad and a college located near Khyber Teaching Hospital.



“In this connect, planning and reconnaissance have already been carried out. The target of some other educational institutions in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, especially Peshawar, cannot be ruled out.”

The authority has recommended the presidency, prime minister’s office, provincial government and the concerned law enforcement agencies to exercise extreme vigilance and heighten security measures.



The alert comes days after a car bomb injured six in Kala Bari market located in Peshawar's Saddar area.

According to Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Qazi Jameel, a white car loaded with 10kgs of explosives detonated near the Qazi Street mosque. An eyewitness told The Express Tribune that the car was parked in the area since last night and the explosion occurred after a fire erupted near the front seat.