A devastating double suicide bombing rocked a compound housing police and government offices in northwest Pakistan, resulting in at least two police fatalities and 15 injuries. The attack, which occurred in the Bara neighborhood near the Afghan border, caused partial structural collapse, trapping and killing one officer under the debris. Provincial police chief Akhtar Hayat reported that one bomber detonated their explosives when police engaged them. Following the explosions, gunfire erupted, adding to the chaos and suggesting a potential armed assault alongside the bombings. Emergency services spokesperson Bilal Faizi confirmed the exchange of fire, with casualties including both police and civilians. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the attack and lauded the police for their bravery in confronting the attackers.
The Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing. This incident follows closely on the heels of another attack just hours earlier where two police officers were killed and two wounded at a checkpoint in Peshawar. The outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) also claimed responsibility for this attack. This wave of violence continues a concerning trend; two days prior, a suicide car bombing in Peshawar targeted a security forces truck, injuring six soldiers and two civilians. The TTP, while a separate entity, maintains an alliance with the Afghan Taliban. Their activities have intensified since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, leveraging the withdrawal of US and NATO forces. The TTP's demands include stricter Islamic law enforcement, the release of their members, and a reduced military presence in Pakistan’s former tribal areas. The Pakistani military has recently issued a warning to the Afghan Taliban, demanding action against cross-border attacks and promising a strong response if these attacks continue. This warning followed attacks in Baluchistan that killed 12 Pakistani soldiers, further escalating tensions in the region.
