An attack on the Pakistan Frontier Constabulary (FC) headquarters in Peshawar’s heavily guarded Cantonment area killed at least three security personnel and wounded 11 others on Monday, November 24. The assault, carried out by a suicide bomber and gunmen at dawn, shook Sunehri Masjid Road—a bustling artery within the military-administered part of the city.
According to Peshawar’s Capital City Police Officer, Mian Saeed Ahmad, “Three FC personnel deployed at the gate were martyred and four others were wounded” as a suicide bomber detonated explosives at the main entrance. Security forces responded swiftly, killing two attackers in a gunfight that followed the initial blast. Meanwhile, concerns lingered as authorities cordoned off the area and searched the sprawling headquarters for possible hidden assailants.
Hospital Officials Confirm Injuries
Asim Khan, a spokesperson at Lady Reading Hospital, reported that all 11 people wounded, including two paramilitary officials, were in stable condition. The steady stream of ambulances and heightened security presence underscored the seriousness of the attack.
The FC, a paramilitary police force tasked with maintaining law and order across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has often found itself on the frontline of Pakistan’s battles with armed groups. Monday’s attack echoed a troubling trend in the region as violence has surged in both frequency and intensity in recent weeks. Just under two weeks earlier, Islamabad had seen a suicide bombing that claimed a dozen lives outside a courthouse.
A Growing Pattern of Violence
Videos circulating on social media platforms showed chaotic scenes and the precise moment the suicide bomber detonated outside the FC gates. Security analysts say the method and timing bear an unsettling resemblance to recent attacks elsewhere in Pakistan, further heightening fears about the country’s worsening security landscape.
As the investigation continues, Pakistani police and army units remain on high alert in Peshawar—a city all too familiar with such violence. Monday’s assault serves as another reminder of the persistent threats facing security forces in the region.
