Peshawar under attack: Suicide attack on paramilitary headquarters. Five dead and several injured.

Peshawar (Pakistan) – A particularly violent attack hit this morning the city of Peshawar, in north-western Pakistan, where the headquarters of the paramilitary forces of the Federal Constabulary (FC) was attacked by an armed commando, composed, according to the authorities, of at least three attackers. The confirmed death toll is five dead: three FC officers and two attackers. Others five people, including two security personnel and three civilians, were injured.

The attack occurred around 8:10 local time (03:10 GMT), in a very central area of ​​the city, along Saddar Road, one of the busiest arteries of Peshawar, in the vicinity of a major military quartersThe rush hour and the sensitivity of the site amplified the initial panic and confusion, while security forces quickly mobilized to contain the threat.

The dynamics of the attack: explosion at the main entrance and break-in into the complex

According to consistent reconstructions provided by police officials, local newspapers and international agencies such as Reuters and AFP, the assault began when a first suicide bomber detonated his explosive vest. at the main entrance of the paramilitary complex. The explosion hit a group of officers on guard duty, killing three FC members.

Taking advantage of the confusion, a second attacker—also a suicide bomber—managed to enter the facility. Armed and ready to strike, the man was then neutralized by security forces before he could detonate any further devices or advance toward more sensitive areas of the complex.

Un third attacker, according to what was reported by the authorities, was killed in a firefight with the army and the police, who immediately intervened to surround the area.

Human remains attributed to one of the attackers were found at the entrance to the complex, a sign of the violence of the initial explosion.

Security forces intervene: area isolated and operation underway

Elite army and police units intervened within minutes of the attack, sealing off the entire area and launching a large-scale reclamation operation, which is still ongoing. The goal is to ensure that there are no unexploded ordnance, as explained by Zulfiqar Hameed, police chief of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, nor any accomplices still hiding nearby.

In parallel, an investigation has been launched to reconstruct the commando's movements and understand how the attackers managed to approach such a sensitive target in an area considered to be highly secure.

Silence on responsibilities: no claims of responsibility at the moment

Despite the severity of the attack, no militant group has so far claimed responsibility. The province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, bordering Afghanistan, has, however, been the scene of activity by extremist and separatist groups for years, including several cells of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and organizations affiliated with the Islamic State.

The Taliban's return to power in Kabul in 2021 coincided with a significant increase in armed attacks and suicide operations in the region, a surge that Pakistani authorities link to the militant groups' ability to find refuge and rear bases across the border.

Official reactions: Prime Minister Sharif condemns the attack

Pakistani Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, strongly condemned the attack, praising the "timely action" of the security forces, which, according to the government, prevented a much more serious toll. Sharif called for the perpetrators and instigators of the attack to be "identified as soon as possible and brought to justice," reiterating that Pakistan "will foil the evil designs of those who threaten the integrity of the country."

Provincial authorities also expressed solidarity with the victims' families and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening security measures in sensitive areas of the city.

Peshawar, a vulnerable city: an area exposed to militant violence

For over a decade, Peshawar has been one of the cities most affected by militant violence in Pakistan. Located just a few kilometers from the Afghan border, it has repeatedly been the site of large-scale attacks, including the 2014 attack on the army school, which killed over 130 people, mostly children.

The city's strategic location, heavy traffic, and the presence of numerous military and government targets make it a frequent target for extremist groups challenging the presence of security forces in the region.

A wound still open: ongoing investigations and a tense climate

As the site cleanup continues and evidence is gathered for the investigation, Peshawar is once again reeling from insecurity and a climate of high tension. Authorities fear the attack could signal an escalation by militant cells active in the region.

While we await claims of responsibility and further investigation, the drama of a new attack remains in the heart of a city that has been at the forefront of the fight against terrorism for years.