Deadly Bomb Attack in Peshawar: 9 Killed in Targeted Police Operation in Pakistan's Continuing Security Challenge

According to officials, police personnel were the intended targets of this attack. (Representational)

Peshawar:

Nine individuals lost their lives and four law enforcement officials sustained injuries following an explosion in Peshawar on Thursday, as reported by DAWN.

The Peshawar Capital City Police Officer Mian Saeed's office confirmed the details of this tragic incident. In his statement to DAWN, Mian Saeed indicated that police officials were deliberately targeted. "Preliminary investigation reveals that the explosive device was strategically placed along the route of a police mobile unit," he explained.

The CCPO noted that the injured individuals were in critical condition, necessitating their immediate transfer to a nearby medical facility by emergency services.

In the aftermath of the explosion, substantial security forces promptly arrived at the location and secured the perimeter. Senior Superintendent of Police Operation Masood Bangash informed DAWN that law enforcement officers are thoroughly examining the incident site and gathering evidence related to the case.

This attack follows another recent incident on September 30, when at least 10 people were killed and 32 injured after a powerful explosion occurred on a busy street near the Frontier Corps (FC) headquarters in Balochistan's capital Quetta, according to DAWN.

Balochistan Health Minister Bakht Muhammad Kakar confirmed the casualty figures and stated that all injured victims were transported to the nearby Civil Hospital for medical treatment.

DAWN reported that police records indicated eight bodies were brought to the Civil Hospital following that deadly blast.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Special Operations Quetta Muhammad Baloch explained that the explosion happened when a vehicle turned from Model Town towards Hali Road, in proximity to the FC headquarters.

According to DAWN, television and social media footage captured the moment when the explosion tore through the area.

Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Bugti condemned the incident, characterizing it as a "terrorist attack."

He reported that security forces responded swiftly and neutralized four attackers. "The terrorists cannot weaken the nation's resolve through cowardly acts," he declared in a statement published on social media platform X.

"The terrorists cannot undermine our national determination through such cowardly actions. The sacrifices made by civilians and security forces will not be in vain. We remain steadfast in our commitment to establishing peace and security in Balochistan. I express my solidarity with the families of the martyrs, pray for the elevation of their status, and wish for the rapid recovery of those injured," he further stated.

Later, while speaking at an event in Quetta, he confirmed that "an operation against the terrorists is currently underway."