3 martyred as FC HQ in Peshawar comes under ‘suicide’ attack

Three Federal Constabulary (FC) personnel were martyred, and as many terrorists killed, as security forces foiled an attack on Monday morning at the FC Headquarters in Peshawar.

Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed told the media that three attackers attempted to enter the paramilitary’s headquarters located in Saddar area of the provincial capital.

The police officer said one attacker detonated himself at the main gate, while two others managed to enter the premises. He said FC personnel foiled the attacks and killed two terrorists inside the compound during the exchange of fire with the security personnel.

He said the area surrounding the headquarters was cordoned off and traffic was diverted as security agencies launched a search operation.

Deputy Commandant of the Federal Constabulary Javed Iqbal also confirmed the killing of all three attackers. He said three FC personnel were martyred in the suicide attack.

He added that a comprehensive search operation was conducted inside the FC Headquarters to ensure no further threat remained.

He confirmed ten others, including three FC personnel, were also injured as in the attack. Nine injured were brought to Lady Reading Hospital (LRH), according to the hospital administration.

A spokesperson for LRH said that the injured include three personnel of the Federal Constabulary (FC) and six civilians. All the injured are stated to be out of danger, the administration added.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have strongly condemned the attack on the FC headquarters.

In their separate messages, they expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of the martyrs and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured. They also paid tribute to the timely and courageous action of the security forces and police due to which major losses were averted.

The president said that the attack is a cowardly act of foreign terrorists operating with external support against the beloved homeland. He said that complete eradication of terrorism by foreign-backed khawarij is the top priority.

The prime minister, in his message, said those responsible for the incident should be identified as soon as possible and brought to justice. He vowed to destroy the evil intentions of terrorists who attack the integrity of Pakistan.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi also paid tribute to both the martyrs and the security forces, emphasising that such cowardly attacks cannot weaken our morale.