An explosion occurred near the Police Lines mosque in Kohat during Friday prayers, leaving at least 21 people martyred and more than 100 others injured, according to Rescue 1122. Security forces continued their operation at the site following the incident.
A police official said a police sniper shot dead a terrorist inside the Police Lines premises after the explosion. Access routes to the area were sealed, while a large contingent of police officers secured the site.
Following the blast, terrorists and security forces also exchanged fire. Officials said the attackers initially drove an explosives-laden vehicle into the boundary wall of the Police Lines before entering the premises. The explosion completely destroyed the mosque.
According to officials, seven terrorists carried out the attack on the Police Lines facility after the blast. Six attackers have been killed, while security forces are continuing a clearance operation to neutralise the remaining terrorist.
Officials said the surviving attacker is hiding inside the Special Branch building and occasionally opening fire from within. The Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) operations team has contained the attacker inside the building as efforts to bring the operation to an end continue.
Meanwhile, those injured in the blast were immediately taken to Kohat CMH for medical care, while rescue teams and relevant authorities continued relief and emergency operations at the scene.
A hospital emergency was declared after the explosion. Security officials also cordoned off the surrounding area as authorities continued to investigate the nature of the blast and gather further information about the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The inspector general of police said the clearance operation was now in its final phase. He stated that the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police had the necessary capability to completely eliminate the terrorists.
Police officers have been stationed around the Old Police Lines, while roads leading to the area remain closed as security measures continue following the incident.
Victims identified
Several police personnel who were martyred in the Kohat blast have been identified as Fahim (FRP), Farid (operator, SP FRP), Ismatullah (CTD), Samiullah (driver), Abdul Wahab, Inspector Ishtiaq (FRP), and Akbar Shinwari (SP Traffic).
Three civilians who lost their lives have also been identified as Dr Israfeel and minors Abdullah and Asad. The identities of the remaining victims are yet to be confirmed.
HRCP concerned over rising terrorist attacks in KP
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has voiced concern over the increasing frequency of terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and strongly condemned the Kohat blast. The commission expressed grief over the loss of lives and the large number of people wounded in the attack.
The HRCP urged both the federal and provincial governments to take immediate action to end the ongoing cycle of terrorism. It called for prompt legal and political measures to eliminate terrorism, protect citizens’ lives and property, and ensure that those involved in terrorist attacks are brought to justice.
The commission stressed that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa could not withstand further violence and emphasised the need to protect citizens’ rights to life, security and dignity.
CM Sohail Afridi condemns Kohat blast
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the explosion and strongly condemned the incident, calling the act of terrorism extremely tragic and unacceptable.
The chief minister requested a report from police officials and said that targeting innocent citizens was extremely tragic and condemnable. He instructed the authorities to utilise all available resources to ensure immediate medical treatment for those injured.
Afridi directed officials to guarantee prompt treatment for the injured and ensure that hospitals had sufficient medical facilities available. He further instructed authorities to arrange the transfer of critically injured patients to other hospitals whenever necessary.
The chief minister also directed officials to examine every aspect of the incident and submit a comprehensive report. He said that cowardly acts of terrorism would not be allowed to weaken the nation’s morale.
Later, in a video message, the chief minister offered prayers for the police officers and civilians who lost their lives in the attack. He said Khyber Pakhtunkhwa had suffered the loss of more than 80,000 lives during its fight against terrorism. He added that the people of the province had remained on the front line in the battle against terrorism and continued to make sacrifices, saying they would, God willing, continue their struggle.
The chief minister said Pakistan belonged to them and that they would not permit any conspiracy to succeed.
PM Shehbaz seeks report on blast
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif strongly condemned the explosion at the Kohat Police Lines and expressed sorrow over the injuries suffered by several people.
The prime minister prayed for the injured to recover quickly and instructed the authorities to ensure that all victims receive immediate and the best possible medical care.
PM Shehbaz also requested a report from the concerned officials regarding the nature and causes of the explosion. He ordered authorities to speed up relief efforts and extend every possible form of assistance to those affected by the incident.
Zardari, Aleem Khan express confidence in security forces
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep concern over the injuries sustained by citizens in the Kohat blast and conveyed his wishes for their early recovery. He instructed the authorities to make sure that all injured individuals receive immediate and the best available medical treatment.
The president emphasised that completely eliminating terrorists is necessary to safeguard national security.
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan strongly condemned the explosion near the Old Police Lines in Kohat and expressed sympathy with the families of those who were killed. He also conveyed his sympathies to the injured and prayed that Allah Almighty grant forgiveness to those martyred in the blast and give patience to their bereaved families.
Abdul Aleem Khan also offered prayers for the quick recovery of those injured in the attack. He said terrorists would never be able to achieve their cowardly aims and expressed confidence that the security forces would succeed in eliminating terrorism from the country.
The federal minister said the entire nation stood firmly behind the security forces in their battle against terrorism. He added that cowardly terrorist attacks could not weaken the resolve of the brave police and security forces.
Naqvi condemns blast
Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has strongly denounced the explosion near the Old Police Lines in Kohat and expressed profound grief over the loss of valuable human lives.
Naqvi conveyed his deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of those killed in the incident. He said he shared the pain of the bereaved families during this difficult time.
The interior minister also prayed for the early recovery of those wounded in the explosion.
“The cowardly acts of the terrorists cannot weaken the nation’s firm resolve,” Mohsin Naqvi said, reiterating the country’s commitment to fighting terrorism.
PTI strongly condemns blast
The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also condemned the explosion at the Kohat Old Police Lines and expressed sorrow over the loss of precious lives. The party said it stood with the families of those who were martyred in the attack and shared their grief.
PTI demanded that the injured be provided with the best available medical treatment without delay and called on the authorities to utilise every available resource for rescue and relief efforts.
The party stated that terrorism in any form was unacceptable and highlighted the significant sacrifices made by the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the fight against terrorism. PTI also called for a transparent and thorough investigation into the attack and demanded that those responsible be brought to justice.
