Gunmen attack Pakistan paramilitary force in Peshawar; 3 officers killed

Gunmen have attacked the headquarters of Pakistan's civilian paramilitary force, formerly called the Frontier Constabulary, in Peshawar, killing at least three officers, police say.

The complex is located on Saddar Road, which is one of the bustling city's busiest routes.

Peshawar is the capital of the northwestern Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa region, which borders Afghanistan.

What do we know about the attack in Peshawar?

Two of the attackers were suicide bombers who targeted the compound.

One of the bombers carried out an attack at the entrance to the complex, Peshawar police chief Mian Saeed Ahmad was cited by Dawn newspaper as saying.

The other two attackers attempted to enter the headquarters and were gunned down in its parking area, he said.

"The attack has concluded, and a clearance operation is under way to determine whether any unexploded ordnance is present," Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa regional police chief Zulfiqar Hameed told AFP news agency.

Officials quoted by Dawn and Geo News television said at least three attackers and three paramilitary force members were killed during the assault.

Five people wounded into the attack were taken to the city's Lady Reading Hospital, spokesperson Mohammad Asim told Reuters news agency.

Militant attacks in Pakistan

No group has claimed responsibility, but the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have been linked to similar attacks.

Monday's attack comes less than two weeks after TTP-linked militants carried out a suicide bombing at an Islamabad court.

Attacks by TTP militants have led to an increase in tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with Islamabad demanding Kabul reign in the group.