Three martyred, 11 injured in suicide attack on FC headquarters in Peshawar

Three Federal Constabulary personnel were martyred and 11 injured on Monday when a suicide bomber detonated explosives at the gate of the Federal Constabulary headquarters in Peshawar.

The attack occurred in the Saddar area of the northwestern city and involved three militants, according to Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police. Security officials have said all three terrorists were suicide bombers; one detonated his explosives at the gate while two managed to enter the compound, but were shot and killed. Police are currently defusing explosives brought by the assailants near the gate.

Initial investigations indicate that the first suicide attacker approached the headquarters on foot and attempted to enter via the Saddar side. The blast occurred at 8:11am, but security personnel prevented the bomber from moving past the barrier. The assailant’s companions also tried to enter the compound but were stopped by security personnel.

CCTV footage from cameras at the main gate captured the powerful explosion. Following the blast, two attackers attempted to penetrate the compound but were prevented from doing so.

“All three militants were killed during the response operation,” K-P Inspector General Zulfiqar Hameed said. All the terrorists were wearing suicide bomber jackets, according to sources.

The blast occurred while a parade was underway at the headquarters. Around 450 personnel were present during the parade, initial information suggests.

The martyred and injured included both Federal Constabulary personnel and civilians, according to Mohammad Asim, spokesman for Lady Reading Hospital. Hospital officials said the wounded were in stable condition.

"11 injured victims from the Saddar blast have been shifted to LRH," spokesman Mohammad Asim said. "The injured are in stable condition and are receiving medical treatment". The wounded include three FC personnel and civilians.

"All injured are currently out of danger, while an emergency has been declared at LRH," the spokesman added.

Peshawar Chief Police Officer Mian Saeed Ahmed led the security response. Authorities cordoned off the area and suspended public transit along the main corridor near the blast site as a precaution. Police sealed entry and exit points across the city and placed Peshawar on high alert. A clearance operation is underway, after which roads are expected to reopen.

The Inspector General told Express News that there had been no specific threat alert regarding the assault on the FC headquarters, but added that timely action allowed security personnel to bring the situation under control quickly. The IG noted that similar attacks in the province’s southern districts had recently been foiled and that a province-wide security review was conducted last week.

Rescue 1122 said it deployed more than 50 emergency workers, along with six ambulances and fire vehicles. No group has yet claimed responsibility. 

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the attack by Fitna-ul-Khawarij on the FC headquarters in Peshawar. In their separate messages, they expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Fitna al-Khawarij is a term the state uses to refer to terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan after the May 2025 conflict with India.

They also paid tribute to the timely and courageous action of the security forces and police, due to which major losses were averted.

K-P Chief Minister Sohail Afridi has strongly condemned the attack. He summoned the K-P IGP Zulfiqar Hameed for a full report, “The bravery of our personnel prevented major destruction,” Afridi said, calling the attack “extremely regrettable and condemnable.”

Afridi emphasised that terrorists have no religion and that cowardly acts of this nature will not weaken public morale. “The martyrs are our pride, and their sacrifices will not go in vain,” he said, vowing that those responsible would be brought to justice. “The fight against terrorism will continue with renewed determination,” he added.

Pakistan Peoples Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto expressed grief, stating, “These cowardly attacks cannot weaken our resolve to bring terrorists to their logical end.”
He termed the martyrs “benefactors of the nation,” and prayed for the swift recovery of those injured. The PPP chairman stated that “our national unity, courage, and determination will foil every terrorist conspiracy.”

Minister Naqvi praised the bravery of the Federal Constabulary personnel for thwarting the "Fitna-al Khawarij attack". “The courageous personnel of the Federal Constabulary successfully foiled the attack,” Mohsin Naqvi said.

Minister Naqvi paid tribute to the three FC personnel who were martyred in the line of duty. He expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyred personnel. Instructions were issued to ensure the injured receive the best possible medical care.“The martyred personnel are our heroes. Their supreme sacrifice will always be remembered,” Mohsin Naqvi stated.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has also strongly condemned the attack on the FC Headquarters in Peshawar. “The entire nation stands united against anti-state elements,” Murad Ali Shah said.