At least 16 people, including five police officers, were killed and more than 50 others were injured in an explosion and attack inside the police lines in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The attack occurred on Friday afternoon while prayers were underway at a mosque inside the police lines.
Immediately following the attack, police and security forces launched an operation. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General (IG) of Police Zulfiqar Hamid stated that the death toll from the attack stood at 16, with over 50 injured.
According to police information, a suicide bomber driving an explosives-laden vehicle first struck the entrance of a building within the police lines. Subsequently, several attackers attempted to move toward the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) building. Several of them were killed by security forces' gunfire.
Following this, at least three more attackers attempted to advance toward the Special Branch building. The IG stated that security forces were conducting an operation against them.
In a statement, Zulfiqar Hamid reported that a suicide bomber blew himself up near the Special Branch building. The statement confirmed that a total of six militants, including a suicide bomber, were killed.
The attack took place while worshippers were offering prayers at the police lines mosque. Following the blast, a wall of a police headquarters building collapsed. Television footage showed people gathering near the rubble to participate in rescue operations, while ambulances and law enforcement personnel were also seen at the scene.
Meanwhile, gunbattles between security forces and the attackers continued until the afternoon local time. Concurrently, operations were underway to rescue casualties from the rubble.
Ittehadul Mujahideen, led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur, has claimed responsibility for the attack.
The office of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi issued a statement condemning the targeting of innocent people in the attack. Authorities were directed to provide prompt medical treatment to the injured.
The Chief Minister stated that such acts of terrorism cannot break the morale of the nation.
On the other hand, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the attack. He noted that the complete eradication of foreign-backed militants is essential for national security and also wished a speedy recovery to the injured.
Major attacks have occurred around the Kohat police lines previously. In 2010, a remote-controlled bomb explosion took place in the police colony located behind the police lines. That incident resulted in the deaths of 20 people, including relatives of police personnel, and left more than 90 others injured.
