Peshawar FC HQ Attack: Suicide Bombers Kill 6 as Jamaat-ul-Ahrar Claims Responsibility Amid Pakistan's Militancy Surge

Coordinated Attack on Pakistan's FC Headquarters in Peshawar Kills Six

Peshawar, Pakistan – A strategic headquarters for Pakistan’s Federal Constabulary (FC) paramilitary force in Peshawar was rocked by a coordinated assault involving suicide bombers and armed militants on Monday. The attack, which took place in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including three soldiers, according to Pakistani authorities.

The militant group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) swiftly claimed responsibility for the audacious strike. While the group asserted that "around two dozen casualties" occurred and three of its own fighters perished, official reports confirmed six fatalities and several injuries, with over two dozen people admitted to local hospitals for treatment.

Attack Unfolds in Highly Secured Zone

The operation commenced with a powerful suicide bombing at the main entrance of the heavily fortified FC compound, situated on Sunehri Masjid Road in the densely populated Peshawar Cantonment. Following the initial explosion, at least two additional attackers breached the perimeter, engaging security personnel in a fierce confrontation.

Swift Response Averted Greater Tragedy

Mian Saeed Ahmad, Peshawar’s capital city police officer, highlighted the critical role of the security forces' rapid response. He stated that the three military personnel killed were stationed at the main gate, bearing the brunt of the initial assault. Ahmad credited the swift action of the forces with the timely neutralization of the remaining attackers, thereby averting a potentially far greater tragedy, especially given that a large number of personnel were reportedly gathered inside for routine parade drills.

JuA's Ideology and Resurgence

In a statement posted on Telegram, a JuA representative articulated the group's unwavering ideological objective: "We want the complete and 100% implementation of Sharia. If the enemy agrees to 99% but refuses even 1%, then our jihad against them will continue. Insha'Allah..."

Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, an offshoot that initially diverged from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in 2014 over doctrinal differences, has since re-established ties with the parent group. This recent attack underscores a concerning resurgence in militant activity across Pakistan, largely attributed to the TTP and its allied factions, including JuA. The group has also been linked to other significant attacks, such as a suicide bombing at a judicial complex in Islamabad.