In a tragic incident that shook Peshawar, at least one Frontier Corps (FC) official lost his life, and nine others, including six FC personnel, sustained injuries in a blast targeting a security forces vehicle on the Warsak Road area of the city. The incident unfolded on a seemingly ordinary Monday, leaving the nation in mourning.
Read More: Blast on Peshawar Ring Road leaves 1 dead and 3 wounded, according to police
Initial reports from Superintendent Warsak Division Arshad Khan indicate that the attack occurred as two FC vehicles were passing by the Ring Road, with one of them becoming the unfortunate target. Shockingly, there were no prior threats or warnings regarding this heinous act.
The preliminary investigation sheds light on the nature of the explosive device, with approximately five kilograms of explosives utilized in the deadly Peshawar blast. It has been confirmed that an improvised explosive device (IED) was employed in this cowardly attack. In a swift response, initial suspects have been apprehended and are now in police custody, as further investigations are set in motion.
Tragically, among the injured, three civilians have been identified, their conditions confirmed by Rescue 1122 officials. The aftermath of the explosion prompted the K-P Health Department to declare a state of emergency across all medical facilities in the provincial capital. In a statement, medical staff in Medical Teaching Institutions (MTI) hospitals were put on alert, canceling any leaves and ensuring immediate treatment and medical personnel presence for the injured in all hospitals.
Security forces promptly cordoned off the area following the blast, and emergency teams acted swiftly to transport the injured to nearby medical facilities. Initially, the victims were transferred to Prime Hospital, but due to the severity of their injuries, they were later relocated to Lady Reading Hospital for more extensive care.
Muhammad Asim, a spokesperson for Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), verified that the facility is currently attending to nine individuals injured in the blast. This includes six FC personnel and three civilians, with two FC personnel and one civilian listed in critical condition at present.
In the wake of this tragic incident, condemnations have poured in from various quarters. Former Prime Minister and President of Pakistan Muslim League (N) Shehbaz Sharif voiced his condemnation and extended his prayers for the speedy recovery of the injured. He reaffirmed the nation’s determination to eliminate terrorism and lauded the valor and commitment of Pakistan’s security forces in this ongoing battle.
Caretaker Interior Minister Sarfaraz Ahmed Bugti vehemently condemned the attack, offering his prayers for the martyred security personnel and the swift recovery of all injured individuals. He affirmed that the armed forces and the nation would not be demoralized by such cowardly acts and underlined the nation’s united stance against extremism, vowing to eradicate terrorism at any cost.
The incident marks another grim chapter in the escalating threat of terrorism faced by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P). Just two days prior, Lance Naik Jamshed Khan, a Pakistan Army soldier, had bravely embraced martyrdom in a gunfight with terrorists in North Waziristan district.
Moreover, earlier this month, a policeman, Constable Riaz Gul, tragically lost his life in a daylight attack in the Tank district of K-P. These events underscore the increasing challenges posed by terrorism in the region.
K-P is grappling with a disturbing surge in terrorism, yet its Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) faces resource shortages. The lack of dedicated headquarters buildings and essential equipment, including vehicles and arms, has hindered the efficiency of this critical counter-terrorism unit. Despite receiving significant funds over the past nine years to address the losses inflicted by waves of terrorism, K-P has yet to bridge this resource gap effectively.
As the nation mourns the loss of a dedicated FC official and prays for the swift recovery of the injured, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism that demands vigilant and concerted efforts to ensure peace and security in the region.
