Three suicide bombers stormed the headquarters of a Pakistani paramilitary force in Peshawar on Monday, killing three paramilitary personnel and injuring at least five others in one of the latest violent assaults to hit the region.
According to police, the attackers opened fire as they forced their way into the complex, which sits in a densely populated neighbourhood of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa capital. The first bomber detonated his explosives at the main entrance, while the remaining two managed to enter the premises before blowing themselves up inside.
Deputy Commandant of the force, Javed Iqbal, confirmed the casualty figures, while a senior security official—speaking anonymously due to lack of authorisation—warned that more attackers might still be inside the compound. “Law enforcement personnel, including the army and police, have cordoned off the area and are carefully handling the situation as we suspect there are some terrorists inside the headquarters,” the official said.
Residents reported that the entire road leading to the facility had been sealed by security agencies. “The road has been closed for traffic and cordoned off by the army, police and security personnel,” said local resident Safdar Khan.
The injured—including two paramilitary personnel—were evacuated to Lady Reading Hospital, whose spokesperson, Mohammad Asim, confirmed they were receiving treatment.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the incident comes amid a surge in assaults by Islamist militants operating along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Tensions have risen following deadly clashes between both countries last month, with Islamabad repeatedly accusing the Afghan Taliban of sheltering militants responsible for cross-border attacks—a claim Kabul denies.
Melissa Enoch