Suicide Bomber Kills Two Policemen in Peshawar’s Chamkani Cattle Market Attack

A devastating suicide bombing rocked the Chamkani area of Peshawar on Sunday evening, claiming the lives of two police officers and injuring five others, including three civilians, near the cattle market within the limits of Chamkani police station. The attack, described as a deliberate act of terrorism, has heightened concerns about escalating violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region frequently targeted by militant groups.

According to police officials, the explosion occurred when a patrolling police mobile intercepted a suspicious individual during a routine security check on Ring Road near the cattle market. SP Rural Mukhtiar Khan, speaking to reporters, confirmed the incident as a suicide attack. “Our personnel were on duty, conducting routine patrols, when they spotted a suspicious man. As they approached for a search, he detonated explosives strapped to his body, causing a powerful blast,” Khan said. The martyred officers were identified as Sub-Inspector Laiq Zada and Constable Alamzeb, both of whom were laid to rest with state honors in their respective villages.

An initial report from the bomb disposal unit estimated that the attacker used four to five kilograms of explosives, resulting in significant damage to the police vehicle and surrounding area. The blast left two other police officers and three civilians injured, who were promptly shifted to Lady Reading Hospital for treatment. Authorities recovered body parts of the suspected bomber, which have been sent for forensic analysis to determine his identity and possible affiliations with militant groups. Posts on X indicate that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the attack, though official confirmation is pending.

The Station House Officer (SHO) of Chamkani police station has formally requested the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) to register a case under Section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act, along with relevant sections of the Pakistan Penal Code, including 302 (murder) and 324 (attempt to murder). The CTD, alongside the bomb disposal unit and senior police officials, has begun collecting evidence from the blast site to trace the attacker’s network and motives. Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed took notice of the incident, directing the CTD to submit a detailed report and ordering heightened security measures across Peshawar.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur condemned the attack, calling it a “cowardly act” and paying tribute to the martyred officers. “Such attacks will not demoralize our police force,” Gandapur stated, vowing to intensify operations against terrorists. The incident follows a sharp rise in terror attacks in Pakistan, with a 42% surge reported in January 2025 compared to the previous month, according to the Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS).

The attack has sparked outrage on social media, with X users expressing grief over the loss of the policemen and condemning the recurring violence in Peshawar. One post noted, “Afghani-backed TTP murdering Pakistani Pashtun policemen during tensions with India,” reflecting sentiments linking the attack to broader regional dynamics. The bombing is the latest in a series of assaults on security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including a January 2023 suicide attack on a Peshawar mosque that killed 101 people, mostly police officers.

As investigations continue, the Chamkani attack underscores the persistent threat of militancy in Pakistan’s northwest, particularly in areas close to the Afghan border. The sacrifices of Sub-Inspector Laiq Zada and Constable Alamzeb highlight the bravery of Pakistan’s police force, who remain on the front lines despite the growing specter of terrorism.