Two police officers martyred in Peshawar suicide blast

Peshawar: A suicide bombing in the Chamkani area of Peshawar martyred at least two police officers, including a sub-inspector (SI), on Sunday, according to police officials.

The attack occurred near a police mobile van close to Mandi on Ring Road. Police said it was a targeted suicide attack on the vehicle. Three other officers were injured in the blast. The Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations confirmed that it was a suicide bombing specifically targeting the police.

This incident comes amid a troubling rise in militant violence across Pakistan. According to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), terror attacks increased by 42% in January 2025 compared to December 2024.

The think tank reported 74 militant attacks last month, resulting in 91 deaths. Among the deceased were 35 security personnel, 20 civilians, and 36 militants. Another 117 individuals were injured, including 53 security personnel and 54 civilians.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) remained the most affected province, followed by Balochistan. In KP’s settled districts, 27 attacks caused 19 deaths. Meanwhile, the tribal districts witnessed 19 attacks that led to 46 fatalities, including several militants and security personnel.