PESHWAR: At least an official of the FC was martyred while nine others including six FC personnel were injured in an explosion on Warsak Road here on Monday. The Superintendent of Police, Arshad Khan, confirmed that the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED).
At least six FC personnel and three civilians were injured in the explosion, according to the spokesperson of Rescue 1122. Among the injured, two FC personnel are reportedly in critical condition, as reported by the Lady Reading Hospital (LRH) administration. All the wounded victims were promptly transported to LRH for medical treatment. The martyred FC man was identified as Abdur Rehman, while the injured were identify as Shafiq, Jehad, Ghulam Zahir, Muzamal, Afnan, Nadeem, Harif, Mian Wali, Shakir and Zakir.
Initially, the Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO), Syed Ashfaq Anwar, stated that the explosion did not seem to be a suicide bombing. Instead, there was suspicion that explosives might have been planted alongside the roadside. To investigate the incident thoroughly, both the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) teams were dispatched to gather forensic evidence from the site, as mentioned by the CCPO.
The Warsak Superintendent of Police disclosed that approximately five kilograms of explosives were utilized in this IED attack. Moreover, five suspects have been apprehended as the investigation into the attack commences.
CCPO Anwar conducted an on-site inspection and initiated investigations after scrutinizing the available evidence. He stated that a preliminary probe suggests that the blast was indeed caused by an improvised explosive device (IED). However, the exact nature of the explosion will be determined once a report from the Bomb Disposal Unit (BDU) becomes available.
The CCPO emphasized the implementation of strict monitoring measures on both internal and external routes within the city. He reiterated the commitment to preventing individuals with hostile intentions towards the country’s interests from achieving their malicious goals. He stressed that security agencies are actively collaborating to combat terrorism and establish lasting peace and security in the region.
Meanwhile, banned TTP has claimed responsibility for the blast.
