PESHAWAR: At least 21 people, including 15 police personnel and six civilians, were killed in a blast at a mosque inside Kohat’s Police Lines during Friday prayers, according to an initial incident report issued by the medical superintendent of DHQ Hospital Kohat and the district health officer.
The explosion took place at around 1:20pm on Friday at a mosque located within the Police Lines on Hangu Road in Kohat. The incident was followed by an attack involving several armed attackers, according to the initial report.
Among the civilians killed was Dr Israel Khan Aurakzai, Chief District Specialist (Paediatrics) at Liaqat Memorial Hospital, Kohat.
The report said 103 injured people were taken to two hospitals in Kohat. Of these, 90 were treated at DHQ Hospital Kohat and 13 at Liaqat Memorial Hospital. The injured included 73 police personnel and 30 civilians.
At least 34 injured people were admitted for further treatment. Five patients underwent abdominal surgery, while four of those patients were later referred to tertiary care hospitals in Peshawar.
Health authorities said the situation was being closely monitored and medical teams were providing treatment and emergency assistance to the injured.
Police Operation Underway
Police officials said several armed attackers entered the Police Lines following the explosion. Six attackers, including the suicide bomber, had been killed, according to the police, while a clearance operation was continuing inside the compound.
The police said the initial explosion was followed by another attack near the Special Branch building.
Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the attack. Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns with the Taliban authorities in Afghanistan over militant groups allegedly operating from Afghan territory.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police Public Relations Director said the security operation had entered its final phase under the supervision of K-P Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hameed.
Hameed said police and the Counter Terrorism Department were conducting a clearance operation inside the Police Lines and working to trace the attackers and their alleged facilitators.
“Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Police is standing as an iron wall against terrorism,” Hameed said, adding that the authorities remained committed to combating militant violence.
Rescue Operation
Rescue 1122 spokesperson Bilal Ahmed Faizi said 14 ambulances, rescue vehicles, a recovery vehicle and more than 45 rescue personnel were involved in the emergency response.
District Emergency Officer Noor-ul-Amin was supervising the rescue operation, with relief and medical activities continuing as authorities worked to complete the operation.
Officials said further details would be shared as additional information becomes available.
