At least six people have been killed after three suicide bombers attacked the headquarters of the Federal Constabulary (FC) in Peshawar on Monday morning, according to local authorities.
The assault began when one of the attackers detonated explosives at the main gate, killing three FC personnel who were stationed there. The two remaining attackers attempted to force their way into the compound but were shot dead by security officers before they could reach the parade ground inside the facility.
Peshawar Police Chief Mian Saeed Ahmad said a large number of personnel were gathered for morning drills at the time, and that the quick response from guards prevented a much larger tragedy.
The FC headquarters sits in a densely populated part of Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa state. Security forces cordoned off the area shortly after the blast.
Health officials confirmed that at least six civilians were also injured. Hospitals in the city, including Lady Reading Hospital and Khyber Teaching Hospital, declared an emergency to treat the wounded. Doctors say all injured persons are currently in stable condition.
No group has claimed responsibility, but the Pakistan Taliban (TTP), which has carried out similar attacks in the past, is widely suspected. Pakistan has recently seen a rise in violent incidents, adding strain to its already tense relationship with Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government.
The attack comes less than two weeks after a suicide bomber killed 12 people near a court in Islamabad.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the Peshawar attack, praising security forces for acting swiftly and calling for the perpetrators to be identified and brought to justice. President Asif Ali Zardari also issued a strong condemnation, offering condolences to the families of those killed.
