By Fazal Amin Shinwari
KOHAT: The death toll from explosions at a mosque inside the Kohat Police Lines rose to 21 on Friday, including 15 police personnel, while 103 others were injured, officials said.
The blasts occurred during Friday prayers and targeted the mosque located within the Police Lines. Six civilians were also among those killed, according to Kohat Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Tahir Shah.
Dr Shah said the deceased included Dr Israel Khan Orakzai, Chief District Specialist at Liaquat Memorial Hospital.
Of the 103 injured, 73 are police personnel, and 30 are civilians. Ninety injured people were taken to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital, while 13 were shifted to Liaquat Memorial Hospital.
Dr Shah said 34 injured people remained under treatment at the two hospitals, while four critically injured patients had been referred to hospitals in Peshawar for further medical care.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector General of Police Zulfiqar Hamid told the media that an explosives-laden vehicle rammed into the gate of the old Police Lines before exploding.
“The vehicle hit the gate and then exploded, and firing also took place,” the IGP said.
He added that another suicide blast occurred at the Special Branch building during an exchange of fire between security personnel and the attackers.
According to a statement issued by the Central Police Office (CPO), seven armed terrorists entered the Police Lines following the initial suicide attack. Police and the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) launched an operation against the attackers and killed six of them, including a suicide bomber and a sniper.
The explosion severely damaged the outer section of the mosque and caused a wall to collapse, rescue officials said. Rescue teams continued operations at the site following the blasts.
Authorities closed the Kohat-Hangu Road to traffic after the incident, while the administration of the DHQ Hospital declared an emergency to deal with the large number of casualties.
The attack drew condemnation from the country’s political and security leadership.
The IGP said the KP police would continue to confront terrorism and that the attacks would not undermine the morale of police personnel. He said the sacrifices of those killed would not go to waste and vowed that those responsible, along with their facilitators, would face consequences.
Pakistan has witnessed a significant increase in militant violence since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan authorities to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan.
