Gunmen and bombers storm Pakistan paramilitary HQ in Peshawar.
Residents in Peshawar rushed to social media, saying they heard a loud, blast-like noise from the FC headquarters, leaving many anxious and unsure about what had happened there.
Pakistan’s Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters in Peshawar witnessed a deeply unsettling and violent episode on Monday, as gunmen and suicide bombers launched an attack that sent shockwaves through the city. According to a Reuters report, the strike on the paramilitary installation unfolded quickly and with deadly intent, leaving at least three people dead and sparking hours of confusion, fear and heavy security response in the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Police officials told the agency that all three casualties were FC personnel who had been stationed at the main gate of the compound. Their deaths underscored how the attackers appeared to target the entrance directly—where security forces usually stand guard—suggesting a coordinated attempt to breach the facility or inflict maximum damage at the frontline. Peshawar police chief Mian Saeed later confirmed to AFP that the three fallen personnel were indeed on-duty guards positioned at the headquarters’ gate, performing routine security checks before the attack erupted.
While official details emerged gradually, much of the immediate picture came from residents themselves. People living near the headquarters used social media to share what they were seeing and hearing in real time. Many posted that they had heard what sounded like two powerful blasts, followed by repeated bursts of gunfire. In several videos circulated online, the sound of active firing echoed across dimly lit streets, capturing the confusion and tension that gripped the area.
Those two blasts, initially reported by locals on X and other platforms, were later confirmed by Pakistani officials as the work of suicide bombers. Authorities said the attackers detonated themselves near the perimeter of the FC installation, seemingly as part of a broader, multi-layered assault that involved gunmen positioned to take advantage of the ensuing chaos. The combination of suicide bombings and direct gunfire is a tactic that Pakistan has faced before, particularly in regions bordering Afghanistan, but each such episode brings a renewed sense of vulnerability.
For the residents of Peshawar—already familiar with the city’s difficult history of militant violence—the incident brought back memories of earlier attacks that had shaken public confidence. Many described hearing the explosions from inside their homes, feeling the shockwaves rattle windows and momentarily unsure of what they should do. Parents pulled children indoors, shopkeepers hurriedly closed shutters, and people living near the FC headquarters stayed glued to their phones, hoping for clarity amidst the uncertainty.
Authorities responded quickly by sealing off the road leading to the FC headquarters and cordoning off the entire area. Security forces, including police and paramilitary units, moved in to prevent further movement near the compound and to secure the perimeter in case additional attackers were present. Ambulances were seen rushing toward the scene, and checkpoints were set up to control traffic and keep civilians at a safe distance.
Even as the security operation continued, details about the attackers remained sparse. Officials did not immediately comment on whether more assailants were believed to be hiding within the compound or nearby buildings. The focus in the early hours was on neutralizing any remaining threat and securing the FC premises, which serve as a key base for Pakistan’s paramilitary forces in the region.
For Pakistan, and for Peshawar in particular, such attacks carry emotional weight far beyond the immediate damage. The city has endured severe militant violence over the years, from assaults on police and military installations to devastating attacks on civilians. While security conditions had improved in recent years, incidents like Monday’s serve as a reminder of the persistent challenges facing the region.
Beyond the statistics, it was the human reactions that painted the most vivid picture: families anxiously messaging relatives to check if they were safe, residents peering out from behind closed curtains listening for updates, and many expressing fatigue over yet another violent episode disturbing their daily lives. The sense of fear was matched only by the relief that the attack was contained before even more lives were lost.
As officials proceed with investigations and secure the area, residents of Peshawar are once again left balancing resilience with apprehension, hoping that this will not mark the beginning of another cycle of violence. For now, the city waits for clarity—and for calm to return.