Five dead in suicide bombing on paramilitary headquarters

On Monday, two suicide bombers attacked the headquarters of a Pakistani paramilitary force, killing three security personnel and wounding at least 12 others.

Police told BBC Urdu that the attackers were armed when they attacked the Federal Police Corps headquarters in Peshawar, in northwestern Pakistan.

No group claimed responsibility for the attack.

The police force’s complex is located in a highly secure area in Peshawar and attackers had to bypass multiple security levels to gain entry.

Eyewitnesses told local media they heard two large explosions around 08:10 local time (03:10 GMT) on Monday.

The area has been cordoned off and rescue teams are currently in the area. An official said five security guards and seven civilians were injured.

Pakistani authorities described the attack as a “thwarted terrorist plan” and noted that the attackers were shot and killed at the door before entering the building.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said, “The perpetrators of this incident must be identified as soon as possible and brought to justice.”

The Pakistan Federal Police Service, formerly known as the Border Police Corps, is responsible for dealing with situations beyond the capabilities of the police force, including tribal attacks and criminal gang violence.

Peshawar is part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan and has long been a flashpoint for militant violence.

The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, operates in the province and has claimed responsibility for similar attacks across the country.

Additional reporting by Kelly Ng