Five Killed in Suicide Bombing Targeting Paramilitary Headquarters in Pakistan

A deadly suicide attack struck the headquarters of Pakistan’s Federal Constabulary in Peshawar on Monday, leaving five people dead and injuring more than a dozen others. Police officials told BBC Urdu that two suicide bombers approached the complex armed and prepared to force their way inside.

The attackers targeted a highly secured area of the city, where multiple layers of checkpoints protect key military and government installations. According to police, the bombers were stopped at the entrance and engaged by security personnel before they could breach the building. Both attackers were killed at the gate, preventing what authorities believe could have been a significantly larger tragedy.

Initial reports said three security officials died, but officials at the scene later confirmed that five personnel were killed. At least twelve people, including seven civilians, were wounded and transported to nearby hospitals. Rescue teams and bomb disposal units cordoned off the area soon after the explosion.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack so far. However, Peshawar and the wider Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province have experienced repeated militant assaults in recent years. The region borders Afghanistan and has long been considered a centre of insurgent activity. The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek i Taliban Pakistan, has carried out several high profile attacks across the province and elsewhere in the country.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack, calling it a foiled terrorist attempt that could have caused far greater loss of life had the bombers managed to enter the facility. He urged authorities to identify those behind the plot and bring them to justice as quickly as possible.

The Federal Constabulary, formerly the Frontier Constabulary, is tasked with responding to situations that go beyond the capabilities of the regular police. Its responsibilities include managing tribal area security, controlling major disturbances and tackling criminal networks. Because of its role, the force has been a frequent target of militant groups aiming to undermine security operations.

The Peshawar attack follows a series of violent incidents across Pakistan in recent months. Two weeks earlier, a suicide bomber struck outside a court in Islamabad, killing twelve people and injuring dozens more. Although Pakistan initially blamed India and Afghanistan for that incident, both countries denied the allegations, and the TTP later claimed responsibility. Earlier in February, another suicide bombing at an Islamic seminary in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa left six people dead, further heightening concerns about rising militant activity.

Security analysts say the renewed wave of attacks reflects a growing challenge for Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts. Despite intensified operations, militant groups continue to exploit gaps in security infrastructure, especially in regions near the Afghan border.

Authorities say investigations into Monday’s attack are under way, with efforts focused on tracing the attackers’ identities and uncovering any support networks that may have enabled the operation. The incident has once again underscored the persistent threat facing the region and the ongoing struggle to maintain stability.