A powerful suicide blast hit Peshawar’s Saddar area on Monday morning after an attacker detonated himself at the main gate of the FC Headquarters. The explosion was followed by heavy gunfire as security forces responded immediately to stop further infiltration into the large and sensitive complex.
Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr. Mian Saeed confirmed that the blast occurred shortly after 8:11am. He said the suicide bomber blew himself up at the entrance of the FC Headquarters, triggering panic and intense firing in the surrounding area. Police and rescue teams reached the location within minutes, sealing off Saddar Road and nearby streets.
According to the CCPO, two more attackers attempted to enter the FC complex. However, alert soldiers stopped them at the gate. One bomber exploded at the first checkpoint, while the remaining two attackers were shot dead before they could reach deeper into the facility. Security forces quickly brought the situation under control as the firing subsided.
Casualties and injuries
Officials confirmed that three FC personnel posted at the gate embraced martyrdom. Two other FC members received injuries during the exchange of fire. Three additional people were also injured. Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) spokesperson Muhammad Asim said five injured individuals, including two FC personnel and one civilian, were shifted to the hospital. All are now in stable condition.
Security sources stated that the attackers aimed to breach the FC Headquarters. If successful, the assault could have caused major loss of life or even led to attempted kidnappings inside the barracks.
Emergency response and security measures
Police cordoned off the area and blocked Saddar Road and Sunehri Masjid Road. The BRT service running through Saddar was briefly suspended. Rescue 1122 deployed multiple ambulances, a fire vehicle, and over 50 staff members to assist. The blast shattered windows of nearby buildings, though surrounding shops were still closed due to early business hours.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed praised the quick response of the FC soldiers, saying their actions prevented a catastrophic breach. Additional troops, including ATS and army units, supported the clearing operation. A full sweep of the complex was carried out by police, CTD, FC, and army teams. Officials said clearing such a large compound requires time and caution.
Prime Minister condemns attack
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the terrorist attack on the FC Headquarters. He praised the bravery of the security forces and stressed that their swift action saved countless lives. He instructed authorities to provide immediate medical care to the injured and vowed that those behind the attack will be brought to justice.
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He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to defeating terrorism and protecting Pakistan’s security at all costs.
