Peshawar blast: Tahir Ashrafi appeals for political unity against terrorism

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi has condemned the Peshawar Saddar suicide blast that claimed the lives of three Federal Constabulary (FC) personnel on Monday morning.

In a video statement, he appealed to the elders of the country, including political and religious leaders, to unite against the scourge of terrorism.

“I would like to appeal to the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief minister and the prime minister of Pakistan to put aside political battles and differences and forge unity, as the children and people of Pakistan are being martyred,” he said.

Ashrafi urged the political leadership to delineate a clear and unified policy against terrorism. He also called on the people of Pakistan to support the army and security agencies and send a united message to the terrorists.

“This is how terrorism gains power and strength. The blood of the people of Pakistan should take precedence over our political disputes,” he said urging the political leadership to shun the differences.

He said that terrorism gains ground when politicians are seen quarrelling and stressed that the political leadership should join hands to improve the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “Pakistan and its integrity are paramount, not politics,” he said.

Earlier, three FC personnel were martyred in a suicide attack on the force’s headquarters in Peshawar’s Saddar area.

The attack occurred on one of the city’s busiest roads just after 8am. Video footage showed a terrorist, clad in a chaddar, approaching the gate and detonating himself. Seconds later, two other attackers attempted to enter the compound.

“Initially, three militants tried to attack the headquarters. One terrorist blew himself up at the gate, while two others tried to enter the premises but were gunned down by FC personnel,” Peshawar Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Dr Mian Saeed Ahmad told reporters.

According to the preliminary investigation, the first suicide bomber approached the main gate of the FC headquarters on foot via Golden Mosque Road, concealing his identity and explosives under a shawl. He detonated at the entrance, killing three FC personnel. Despite the powerful blast, the main gate reportedly remained intact.

Moments later, two additional attackers, dressed in shalwar-kameez and armed with rifles and hand grenades, entered through a side gate.

The report stated the pair moved toward the motorcycle stand on the right side of the compound, where they opened fire. FC personnel returned fire, killing both militants within 30 to 40 metres of the main gate.